I  N  FE  LI  CE: 


BY 


AUGUSTA  (EVANS  WILSON, 

^/  i/ 

AUTHOR   OF 

"Eeulah,"  "St.  Elmo,"  "Vashii,"  "Macaria?  "Inez,"  Etc. 


"The  grace  of  God  forbid 
We  should  be  overbold  to   lay  rough  hands 
On  any  man's  opinion.     For  opinions 
Are,  certes,  venerable  properties, 
And  those  which  show  the  most  decrepitude 
Should  have  the  gentlest  handling." — "  VANINI." 


NEW    YORK: 

G.    W.    Car  let  on    &    Co.,   Publishers. 

LONDON  :     S.  LOW,    SON  &  CO. 
MDCCCLXXVJ. 


COPYBIGHT,    1875,   BY 

G.    W.    CABLETON    &    CO, 


JOHN  F.  TROW  &  SON, 

PRINTERS  AND  STEREOTYPERS, 

205-213  East  12^4  St.t 

NEW  YORK. 


W\    HUSBAND    AND    MY    MOTHER, 


THESE   PAGES   ARE 


D1EDICA 


IN    LOVING    AND    GRATEFUL    TRIBUTE. 


M174954 


PREFACE. 


t(  To-morrow  the  Critics  will  commence. 
You  know  who  the  Critics  are  ?  The  men 
who  have  failed  in  literature  and  art." — 

Disraeli's    "Lothair" 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER 


I  ....................................  PAGE  11 

II  .....................................  "  24 

III  .....................................  "  38 

IV  ....................................  "  52 

V  .....................................  "•  70 

VI  ....................................  "  88 

VII  .....................................  "  107 

VIII  .....................................  "  122 

IX  .....................................  "  140 

X  .....................................  "  156 

xi  .....................  :  ...............  "  173 

XII  .....................................  "  188 

XIII  .....................................  "  198 

XIV  ............  ........................  "  212 

XV  .....................................  "  230 

XVI  .....................................  "  240 

XVII  .....................................  "  256 

xvni  ........................  :  ............  "  277 

XIX  .....................................  "  289 

XX  .....................................  "  306 

XXI  .....................................  "  323 

XXII  .....................................  "  337 

XXIII  .........................  ............  "  353 

XXIV  .....................................  "  371 

XXV  .....................................  "  392 

XXVI  ....................  .................  "  408 

XXVII  .....................................  "  425 

XXVIII  ......................................  ««  439 


XXIX 


454 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER          XXX PAGE  460 

XXXI "  482 

XXXII "  508 

XXXIII "  521 

XXXIV "  534 

XXXV "  542 

XXXVI "....  "  553 

XXXVII "  566 


INFELICE. 


CHAPTER   I. 

IID  you  tell  her  that  Dr.  Hargrove  is  absent  ?  " 
"  I  did  ma'm,  but  she  says  she  will  wait." 
"But,  Hannah,  it  is  very  uncertain  when  he  will 
return,    and   the   night  is  so  stormy  he   may  remain  in  town 
until  to-morrow.     Advise  her  to  call  again  in  the  morning." 

"  I  said  as  much  at  the  door,  but  she  gave  me  to  understand 
she  came  a  long  way,  and  should  not  leave  here  without  seeing 
the  Doctor.  She  told  the  driver  of  the  carriage  to  call  for  her 
in  about  two  hours,  as  she  did  not  wish  to  miss  the  railroad 
train." 

"  Where  did  you  leave  her  ?  Not  in  that  cold  dark  parlor, 
I  hope  ?  " 

"  She  sat  down  on  one  of  the  hall  chairs,  and  I  left  her 
there." 

"  A  hospitable  parsonage  reception !  Do  you  wish  her  to 
freeze  ?  Go  and  ask  her  into  the  library,  to  the  fire." 

As  Hannah  left  the  room,  Mrs.  Lindsay  rose  and  added  two 
sticks  of  oak  wood  to  the  mass  of  coals  that  glowed  between 
the  shining  brass  andirons ;  then  carefully  removed  farther 
from  the  flame  on  the  hearth,  a  silver  teapot,  and  covered  dish, 
which  contained  the  pastor's  supper. 

"  Walk  in  Madam.  I  promise  you  nobody  shall  interfere 
with  you.  Miss  Elise  she  says  she  wishes  to  see  no  one  but 
the  Doctor." 

Hannah  ushered  the  visitor  in,  and  stood  at  the  door,  beck- 


i2       ;,;  •   :", ;  ;  INFELICE. 

oning  to  her  mistress,  who  paused  irresolute,  gazing  curiously 
at  the  muffled  form  and  veiled  face  of  the  stranger. 

"  Do  not  allow  me  to  cause  you  any  inconvenience  Madam. 
My  business  is  solely  with  Dr.  Hargrove,  and  I  do  not  fear  the 
cold," 

The  voice  of  the  visitor  was  very  sweet  though  tremulous, 
and  she  would  have  retreated,  but  Mrs.  Lindsay  put  her  hand 
on  the  bolt  of  the  door,  partly  closing  it. 

"  Pray  be  seated.  This  room  is  at  your  disposal.  Hannah 
bring  the  tea  things  into  the  dining-room,  and  then  you  need 
not  wait  longer ;  I  will  lock  the  doors  after  my  brother  comes 
in." 

With  an  ugly  furrow  of  discontent  between  her  heavy  brows, 
Hannah  obeyed,  and  as  she  renewed  the  fire  smouldering  in 
the  dining-room  stove,  she  slowly  shook  her  grizzled  head : 
"  Many  a  time  I  have  heard  my  father  say :  *  Mystery  breeds 
misery,'  and  take  my  word  for  it,  there  is  always  something 
wrong  when  a  woman  shuns  women-folks,  and  hunts  sympathy 
and  advice  from  men." 

"  Hush  Hannah  !  Charity, — charity  ;  don't  forget  that  you 
live  in  a  parsonage,  where  'sounding  brass  or  tinkling  cymbals ' 
are  not  tolerated.  All  kinds  of  sorrow  come  here  to  be  cured, 
and  I  fear  that  lady  is  in  distress.  Did  you  notice  how  her 
voice  trembled  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  only  hope  no  silver  will  be  missing  to-morrow.  I 
must  make  up  my  buckwheat,  and  set  it  to  rise.  Good  night, 
~Miss  Elise." 

Jt  was  a  tempestuous  night  in  the  latter  part  of  January,  and 
although  the  rain  which  had  fallen  steadily  all  day,  ceased  at 
dark,  the  keen  blast  from  the  north  shook  the  branches  of  the 
ancient  trees  encircling  the  "  Parsonage,"  and  dashed  the  drops 
in  showers  against  the  windows.  Not  a  star  was  visible,  and 
as  the  night  wore  on,  the  wind  increased  in  violence,  roaring 
through  leafless  elm  limbs,  and  whistling  drearily  around  the 
corners  of  the  old  brick  house,  whose  ivy-mantled  chimneys 
had  battled  with  the  storms  of  seventy  years. 


IN  FELICE.  I3 

The  hands  of  the  china  clock  on  the  dining-room  mantle- 
piece  pointed  to  nine,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  expected  to  hear  the 
clear  sweet  strokes  of  the  pendulum,  when  other  sounds  startled 
her ;  the  sharp  shrill  bark  of  a  dog,  and  impatient  scratching 
of  paws  on  the  hall  door.  As  she  hurried  forward  and 
withdrew  the  inside  bolt,  a  middle-aged  man  entered,  followed 
by  a  bluish-gray  Skye  terrier. 

"Peyton  what  kept  you  so  late  ?  " 

"I  was  called  to  Beechgrove  to  baptize  Susan  Moffat's  only 
daughter.  The  girl  died  at  eight  o'clock,  and  I  sat  awhile 
with  the  stricken  mother,  trying  to  comfort  her.  Poor  Susan  ! 
it  is  a  heavy  blow,  for  she  idolized  the  child.  Be  quiet  Biorn." 

Mr.  Hargrove  was  leisurely  divesting  himself  of  his  heavy 
overcoat,  and  the  terrier  ran  Up  and  down  the  hall,  holding 
his  nose  high  in  the  air,  and  barking  furiously. 

"  Biorn' s  instincts  rarely  deceive  him.  A  stranger  is  waiting 
in  the  library  to  see  you.  Before  you  go  in,  let  me  give  you 
your  supper,  for  you  must  be  tired  and  hungry." 

"  Thank  you  Elise,  but  first,  I  must  see  this  visitor,  whose 
errand  may  be  urgent." 

He  opened  the  door  of  the  library,  and  entered  so  quietly 
that  the  occupant  seemed  unaware  of  his  presence. 

A  figure  draped  in  black,  sat  before  the  table  which  was 
drawn  close  to  the'  hearth,  and  the  arms  were  crossed  wearily, 
and  the  head  bowed  upon  them.  The  dog  barked  and  bounded 
toward  her,  and  then  she  quickly  rose,  throwing  back  her  veil, 
and  eagerly  advancing. 

"You  are  the  Rev.  Peyton  Hargrove  ?" 

"  I  am.  What  can  I  do  for  you  Madam  ?  Pray  take  this 
rocking  chair." 

She  motioned  it  away,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Can  you  too,  have  forgotten  me  ?  " 

A  puzzled  expression  crossed  his  countenance  as  he  gazed 
searchingly  at  her,  then  shook  his  head. 

The  glare  of  the  fire,  and  the  mellow  glow  of  the  student's 
lamp  fell  full  on  the  pale  features,  whose  exceeding  delicacy 


14  INFELICE. 

is  rarely  found  outside  of  the  carved  gems  of  the  Stosch  or  Al- 
bani  Cabinets.  On  Camei  and  marble  dwell  the  dainty  mould 
ing  of  the  oval  cheek,  the  airy  arched  tracery  of  the  brows,  the 
straight  slender  nose,  and  clearly  denned  cleft  of  the  rounded 
chin,  and  nature  only  now  and  then  models  them  as  a  whole, 
in  flesh.  It  was  the  lovely  face  of  a  young  girl,  fair  as  one 
of  the  Frate's  heavenly  visions,  but  blanched  by  some  flood  of 
sorrow  that  had  robbed  the  full  tender  lips  of  bloom,  and  be 
reft  the  large  soft  brown  eyes  of  the  gilding  glory  of  hope. 

"  If  I  ever  knew,  I  certainly  have  forgotten  you." 

"  Oh — do  not  say  so  !  You  must  recollect  me  ; — you  are 
the  only  person  who  can  identify  me.  Four  years  ago  I  stood 
here, — in  this  room.  Try  to  recall  me." 

She  came  close  to  him,  and  he  heard  her  quick  and  labored 
breathing,  and  saw  the  convulsive  quivering  of  her  compressed 
lips. 

"  What  peculiar  circumstances  marked  my  former  acquaint 
ance  with  you  ?  Your  voice  is  quite  familiar,  but " 

He  paused,  passed  his  hand  across  his  eyes,  and  before  he 
could  complete  the  sentence,  she  exclaimed  : 

u  Am  I  then,  so  entirely  changed  ?  Did  you  not  one  May 
morning  marry  in  this  room,  Minnie  Merle  to  Cuthbert 
Laurance  ?  " 

"  I  remember  that  occasion  very  vividly,  for  in  opposition  to 
my  judgment,  I  performed  the  ceremony  •  but  Minnie  Merle 

was  a  low-statured,  dark-haired  child, •  "  again  he  paused, 

and  keenly  scanned  the  tall  slender  elegant  figure,  and  the 
crimped  waves  of  shining  hair  that  lay  like  a  tangled  mass  of 
gold  net  on  the  low  full  white  brow. 

"  I  was  Minnie  Merle.  Your  words  of  benediction  made 
me  Minnie  Laurance.  God — and  the  angels  know  it  is  my 
name,  my  lawful  name, — but  man  denies  it." 

Something  like  a  sob  impeded  her  utterance,  and  the  minis 
ter  took  her  hand. 

"  Where  is  your  husband  ?     Are  you  widowed  so  early?  " 

"  Husband — my  husband  ?     One  to  cherish  and  protect,  to 


INFELICE.  I5 

watch  over,  and  love,  and  defend  me; — if  such  be  the-  duties 
and  the  tests  of  a  husband, — oh !  then  indeed  I  have  never 
had  one  !  Widowed  did  you  say  ?  That  means  something 
holy, — sanctified  by  the  shadow  of  death,  and  the  yearning 
sympathy. and  pity  of  the  world  ; — a  widow  has  the  right  to  hug  a 
coffin  and  a  grave  all  the  weary  days  of  her  lonely  life,  and  peo 
ple  look  tenderly  on  her  sacred  weeds.  To  me,  widowhood 
would  be  indeed  a  blessing.  Sir, — I  thought  I  had  learned  com 
posure,  self-control,  but  the  sight  of  this  room, — of  your  coun 
tenance, — even  the  strong  breath  of  the  violets  and  heliotrope 
there  on  the  mantle,  in  the  same  blood  colored  Bohemian  vase 
where  they  bloomed  that  day, — that  May  day, — all  these 
bring  back  so  overpoweringly  the  time  that  is  forever  dead  to 
me, — that  I  feel  as  if.I  should  suffocate." 

She  walked  to  the  nearest  window,  threw  up  the  sash,  and 
while  she  stood  with  the  damp  chill  wind  blowing  full  upon  her, 
the  pastor  heard  a  moan,  such  as  comes  from  meek  dumb  crea 
tures,  wrung  by  the  throes  of  dissolution. 

When  she  turned  once  more  to  the  light,  he  saw  an  unnat 
ural  sparkle  in  the  dry  lustrous  brown  eyes. 

"  Dr.  Hargrove,  give  me  the  license  that  was  handed  to  you 
by  Cuthbert  Laurance." 

"  What  value  can  it  possess  now  ?  " 

"Just  now  it  is  worth  more  to  me,  than  everything  else  in 
life, — more  to  me  than  my  hopes  of  heaven." 

"Mrs.  Laurance  you  must  remember  that  I  refused  to  per 
form  the  marriage  ceremony,  because  I  believed  you  were  both 
entirely  too  young.  Your  grandmother  who  came  with  you, 
assured  me  she  was  your  sole  guardian,  and  desired  the  mar 
riage,  and  your  husband  who  seemed  to  me  a  mere  boy,  quieted 
my  objections  by  producing  the  license,  which  he  said  exoner 
ated  me  from  censure,  and  relieved  me  of  all  responsibility. 
With  that  morning's  work  I  have  never  felt  fully  satisfied,  and 
though  I  know  that  any  Magistrate  would  probably  have  per 
formed  the  ceremony,  I  have  sometimes  thought  I  acted  rashly, 
and  have  carefully  kept  that  license  as  my  defence  and  apology.' 


16  INFELICE. 

11  Thank  God,  that  it  has  been  preserved.     Give  it  to  me." 

"  Pardon  me  if  I  say  frankly,  I  prefer  to  retain  it.  All  li 
censes  are  recorded  by  the  officer  who  issued  them,  and  by  ap 
plying  to  him  you  can  easily  procure  a  copy." 

"  Treachery  baffles  me  there.  A  most  opportune  fire  broke 
out  eighteen  months  ago,  in  the  room  where  those  records  were 
kept,  and  although  the  court  house  was  saved,  the  book  con 
taining  my  marriage  license  was  of  course  destroyed." 

"  But  the  clerk  should  be  able  to  furnish  a  certificate  of  the 
facts." 

"  Not  when  he  has  been  bribed  to  forget  them.  Please  give 
me  the  paper  in  your  possession." 

She  wrung  her  slender  fingers,  and  her  whole  frame  trembled 
like  a  weed  on  some  bleak  hillside,  where  wintry  winds  sweep 
unimpeded. 

A  troubled  look  crossed  the  grave  placid  countenance  of  the 
pastor,  and  he  clasped  his  hands  firmly  behind  him,  as  if  girding 
himself  to  deny  the  eloquent  pleading  of  the  lovely  dark  eyes. 

"  Sit  down  Madam,  and  listen  to " 

"  I  cannot  !  A  restless  fever  is  consuming  me,  and  nothing 
but  the  possession  of  that  license  can  quiet  me.  You  have  no 
right  to  withhold  it,— you  cannot  be  so  cruel,  so  wicked,— un 
less  you  also  have  been  corrupted,  bought  off !  " 

"  Be  patient  enough  to  hear  me.  I  have  always  feared  there 
was  something  wrong  about  that  strange  wedding,  and  your 
manner  confirms  my  suspicions.  Now  I  must  be  made  ac 
quainted  with  all  the  facts,  must  know  your  reason  for  claiming 
the  paper  in  my  possession,  before  I  surrender  it.  As  a  minis 
ter  of  the  gospel,  it  is  incumbent  upon  me  to  act  cautiously, 
lest  I  innocently  become  auxiliary  to  deception,-r-possibly  to 
crime." 

A  vivid  scarlet  flamed  up  in  the  girl's  marble  cheeks. 

"  Of  what  do  you  suspect,  or  accuse  me  ?  " 

"  I  accuse  you  of  nothing.     I  demand  your  reasons  for  the 
request  you  have  made." 

"  I  want  that  paper  because  it  is  the  only  proof  of  my  mar- 


INF  ELI  CE.  17 

riage.  There  were  two  witnesses,  my  grandmother  who  died 
two  years  ago,  on  a  steamship  bound  for  California,  where  her 
only  son  is  living  ;  and  Gerbert  Andre,  a  college  student,  who 
is  supposed  to  have  been  lost  last  summer  in  a  fishing  smack, 
off  the  coast  of  Labrador  or  Greenland." 

"  I  am  a  witness  accessible  at  any  time,  should  my  testimony^ 
be  required." 

"  Will  you  live  forever?  Nay, — just  when  I  need  your  evi 
dence,  my  ill  luck  will  seal  your  lips,  and  drive  the  screws 
down  in  your  coffin-lid." 

"  What  use  do  you  intend  to  make  of  the  license  ?  Deal 
candidly  with  me." 

"  I  want  to  hold  it,  as  the  most  precious  thing  left  in  life  ;  to 
keep  it  concealed  securely,  until  the  time  comes  when  it  will 
serve  me,  save  me,  avenge  me." 

"  Why  is  it  necessary  to  prove  your  marriage  ?  Who  dis 
putes  it?" 

"  Cuthbert  Laurance  and  his  father." 

"  Is  it  possible  !     Upon  what  plea?" 

"  That  he  was  a  minor,  was  only  twenty,  irresponsible,  and 
that  the  license  was  fraudulent." 

"  Where  is  your  husband  ?  " 

"  I  tell  you  I  have  no  husband!  It  were  sacrilege  to  couple 
that  sacred  title  with  the  name  of  the  man  who  has  wronged, 
deserted,  repudiated  me  ;  and  who  intends  if  possible,  to  add 
to  the  robbery  of  my  peace  and  happiness,  that  of  my  fair 
stainless  name.  Less  than  one  month  after  the  day  when  right 
here,  where  I  now  stand,  you  pronounced  me  his  wife  in  the 
sight  of  God  and  man,  he  was  summoned  home  by  a  telegram 
from  his  father.  I  have  never  seen  him  since.  Gen'l  Laurance 
took  his  son  immediately  to  Europe,  and  sir, — you  will  find  it 
difficult  to  believe  me,  when  I  tell  you  that  infamous  father  has 
actually  forced  the  son  by  threats  of  disinheritance,  to  marry 
again, — to " 

The  words  seemed  to  strangle  her,  and  she  hastily  broke  away 
the  ribbons  which  held  her  bonnet  and  were  tied  beneath  her  chin. 


1 8  IN  FELICE. 

Mr.  Hargrove  poured  some  water  into  a  goblet,  and  as  he 
held  it  to  her  lips,  murmured  compassionately : 

"  Poor  child  !     God  help  you." 

Perhaps  the  genuine  pity  in  the  tone  brought  back  sweet 
memories  of  the  bygone,  and  for  a  moment  softened  the  girl's 
heart,  for  tears  gathered  in  the  large  eyes,  giving  them  a  strange 
quivering  radiance.  As  if  ashamed  of  the  weakness  she  threw 
her  head  back  defiantly,  and  continued  : 

"  I  was  the  poor  little  orphan,  whose  grandmother  did  washing 
and  mending  for  the  college  boys — only  little  unknown  Minnie 
Merle,  with  none  to  aid  in  asserting  her  rights ; — and  she — the 
new  wife — was  a  banker's  daughter,  an  heiress,  a  fashionable 
belle, — and  so  Minnie  Merle  must  be  trampled  out, — and  the 
new  Mrs.  Cuthbert  Laurance  dashes  in  her  splendid  equipage 
through  the  Bois  de  Bologne.  Sir,  give  me  my  license  !  " 

Mr.  Hargrove  opened  a  secret  drawer  in  the  tall  writing  desk 
that  stood  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  and  unlocking  a  square 
tin  box,  took  from  it  a  folded  slip  of  paper.  After  some  delib 
eration  he  seated  himself,  and  began  to  write. 

Inpatiently  his  visitor  paced  the  floor,  followed  by  Biorn  who 
now  and  then  growled  suspiciously. 

At  length  when  the  pastor  laid  down  his  pen,  his  guest  came 
to  his  side,  and  held  out  her  hand, 

"  Madam,  the  statements  you  have  made  are  so  extraordi 
nary,  that  you  must  pardon  me  if  I  am  unusually  cautious 
in  my  course.  While  I  have  no  right  to  doubt  your  assertions, 
they  seem  almost  incredible,  and  the  use  you  might  make  of  the 
license " 

"  What  !  you  find  it  so  difficult  to  credit  the  villainy  of  a 
man — and  yet  so  easy  to  suspect,  to  believe  all  possible  deceit 
and  wickedness  in  a  poor  helpless  woman  ?  Oh  man  of  God  ! 
is  your  mantle  of  charity  cut  to  cover  only  your  own  sex  ? 
Can  the  wail  of  down-trodden  orphanage  wake  no  pity  in  your 
heart, — or  is  it  locked  against  me  by  the  cowardly  dread  of  in 
curring  the  hate  of  the  house  of  Laurance  ?" 

For  an  instant  a  dark  flush  bathed  the  tranquil  brow  of  the 


IN  FELICE.  ig 

minister,  but  his  kind  tone  was  unchanged  when  he  answered 
slowly : 

"  Four  years  ago  I  was  in  doubt  concerning  my  duty,  but 
just  now,  there  is  clearly  but  one  course  for  me  to  pursue. 
Unless  you  wish  to  make  an  improper  use  of  it,  this  paper 
which  I  very  willingly  hand  to  you,  will  serve  your  purpose. 
It  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  license,  and  to  it  I  have  appended 
my  certificate,  as  the  officiating  clergyman  who  performed  the 
marriage  ceremony.  Examine  it  carefully,  and  you  will  find 
the  date,  and  indeed  every  syllable  rigidly  accurate.  From 
the  original  I  shall  never  part,  unless  to  see  it  replaced  in  the 
court  house  records." 

Bending  down  close  to  the  lamp,  she  eagerly  read  and  reread 
the  paper  which  shook  like  an  aspen  in  her  nervous  grasp  ;  then 
she  looked  long  and  searchingly  into  the  grave  face  beside  her, 
and  a  sudden  light  broke  over  her  own. 

"  Oh  thank  you!  After  all,  the  original  is  safer  in  your 
hands,  than  in  mine.  I  might  be  murdered,  but  they  would 
never  dare  to  molest  you, — and  if  I  should  die,  you  would  not 
allow  them  to  rob  my  baby  of  her  name  ?  " 

"  Your  baby  ! " 

He  looked  at  the  young  girlish  figure  and  face,  and  it  seemed 
impossible  that  the  creature  before  him  could  be  a  mother.  A 
melancholy  smile  curved  her  lips. 

"  Oh !  that  is  the  sting  that  sometimes  goads  me  almost  to 
desperation.  My  own  wrongs  are  sufficiently  hard  to  bear,  but 
when  I  think  of  my  innocent  baby  denied  the  sight  of  her 
father's  face,  and  robbed  of  the  protection  of  her  father's  name, 
then — I  forget  that  I  am  only  a  woman,  I  forget  that  God 
reigns  in  heaven  to  right  the  wrongs  on  earth,  and " 

There  was  a  moment's  silence. 

"  How  old  is  your  child  ?  " 

"Three  years." 

"  And  you  ?     A  mere  child  now." 

"  I  am  only  nineteen." 

"  Poor  thing  !     I  pity  you  from  the  depths  of  my  soul. 


20  INFELICE. 

The  clock  struck  ten,  and  the  woman  started  from  the  table 
against  which  she  leaned. 

"  I  must  not  miss  the  train  ;  I  promised  to  return  promptly." 

She  put  on  the  gray  cloak  she  had  thrown  aside,  buttoned  it 
about  her  throat,  and  tied  her  bonnet  strings. 

"  Before  you  go,  explain  one  thing.  Was  not  your  hair  very 
dark  when  you  were  married?" 

"  Yes,  a  dark  chestnut  brown,  but  when  my  child  was  born 
I  was  ill  a  long  time,  and  my  head  was  shaved  and  blistered. 
When  the  hair  grew  out,  it  was  just  as  you  see  it  now.  Ah  ! 
if  we  had  only  died  then,  baby  and  I, — we  might  have  had  a 
quiet  sleep  under  the  violets  and  daisies.  I  see  sir — you  doubt 
whether  I  am  really  little  Minnie  Merle.  Do  you  not  recollect 
that  when  you  asked  for  the  wedding  ring,  none  had  been  pro 
vided,  and  Cuthbert  took  one  from  his  own  hand,  which  was 
placed  on  my  finger  ?  Ah  !  there  was  a  grim  fitness  in  the  se 
lection  !  A  death's  head  peeping  out  of  a  cinerary  urn.  You 
will  readily  recognize  the  dainty  bridal  token." 

She  drew  from  her  bosom  a  slender  gold  chain  on4  which  was 
suspended  a  quaint  antique  cameo  ring  of  black  agate,  with  a 
grinning  white  skull  in  the  centre,  and  around  the  oval  border 
of  heavily  chased  gold,  glittered  a  row  of  large  and  very  bril 
liant  diamonds. 

"  I  distinctly  remember  the  circumstance." 

As  the  minister  restored  the  ring  to  its  owner,  she  returned 
it  and  the  chain  to  its  hiding  place. 

"  I  do  not  wear  it,  I  am  biding  my  time.  When  Gen'l  Lau- 
rance  sent  his  agent  first  to  attempt  to  buy  me  off, — and  find 
ing  that  impossible, — to  browbeat  and  terrify  me  into  silence, 
one  of  his  insolent  demands  was  the  restoration  of  this  ring, 
which  he  said  was  an  heirloom  of  untold  value  in  his  family, 
and  must  'belong  to  none  but  a  Laurance.  He  offered  five 
hundred  dollars  for  the  delivery  of  it  into  his  possession.  I 
would  sooner  part  with  my  right  arm !  Were  it  iron  or  lead, 
its  value  to  me  would  be  the  same,  for  it  is  only  the  symbol  of  my 
lawful  marriage, — is  my  child's  title  deed  to  a  legitimate  name." 


INF  E LICE.  21 

She  turned  toward  the  door,  and  Dr.  Hargrove  asked : 

"  Where  is  your  home  ?  " 

"  I  have  none.  I  am  a' waif  drifti-iag  from  city  to  city,  on  the 
uncertain  waves  of  chance." 

"  Have  you  nc  relatives?  " 

"  Only  an  uncle,  somewhere  in  the  gold  mines  of  California." 

"  Does  Gen'l  Laurance  provide  for  your  maintenance  ?  " 

"Three  years  ago,  his  agent  offered  me  a  passage  to  San 
Francisco,  and  five  thousand  dollars,  on  condition  that  I  with 
drew  all  claim  to  my  husband,  and  to  his  name,  and  pledged 
myself  to  "give  the  Laurances  no  further  trouble."  Had  I 
been  a  man,  I  would  have  strangled  him.  Since  then,  no  com 
munication  of  any  kind  has  passed  between  us,  except  that  all 
my  letters  to  Cuthbert  pleading  for  his  child,  have  been  returned 
without  comment." 

"  How  then,  are  you  and  the  babe  supported?" 

"  That  Sir,  is  my  secret." 

She  drew  herself  haughtily  to  her  full  height,  and  would  have 
passed  him,  but  he  placed  himself  between  her  and  the  door. 

"Mrs.  Laurance  do  not  be  offended  by  my  friendly  frank 
ness.  You  are  so  young,  and  so  beautiful,  and  the  circum 
stances  of  your  life  render  you  so  peculiarly  liable  to  danger 
ous  associations  and  influences,  that  I  fear  you  may, 

"  Fear  nothing  for  me.  Can  I  forget  my  helpless  baby,  whose 
sole  dower  just  now  promises  to  be  her  mother's  spotless  name  ? 
Blushing  for  her  father's  perfidy,  she  shall  never  need  a  purer, 
whiter  shield  than  her  mother's  stainless  record — so  help  me 
God  !  " 

"Will  yru  do  me  the  favor  to  put  aside  for  future  contin 
gencies,  this  small  tribute  to  your  child  ?  The  amount  is 
not  so  large  that  you  should  hesitate  to  receive  it ;  and  feeling 
a  deep  interest  in  your  poor  little  babe,  it  will  give- me  sincere 
pleasure  to  know  that  you  accept  it  for  her  sake,  as  a  memento 
of  one  who  will  always  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  to  aid  you 
if  possible." 

With  evident  embarrassment  he  tendered  an  old-fashioned 


22  INFELICE. 

purse  of  knitted  silk,  through  whose  meshes  gleamed  the  sheen 
of  gold  pieces.  To  his  astonishment,  she  covered  her  face 
with  her  hands,  and  burst  into  a  fit  of  passionate  weeping, 
for  some  seconds  she  sobbed  aloud,  leaving  him  in  painful 
uncertainty  concerning  the  nature  of  her  emotion. 

"  Oh  Sir! — it  has  been  so  long  since  words  of  sympathy  and 
real  kindness  were  spoken  to  me,  that  now  they  unnerve 
me.  I  am  strong  against  calumny  and  injustice, — but  kind 
ness  breaks  me  down.  I  thank  you  in  my  baby's  name,  but 
we  cannot  take  your  money.  Ministers  are  never  oppressed 
with  riches,  and  Baby  and  I  can  live  without  chanty.  But 
since  you  are  so  good,  I  should  like  to  say  something  in  strict 
confidence  to  you.  I  am  suspicious  now  of  everybody,  but  it 
seems  to  me  I  might  surely  trust  you.  I  do  not  yet  see  my 
way  clearly,  and  if  anything  should  happen  to  me,  the  child 
would  be  thrown  helpless  upon  the  world.  You  have  neither 
wife  nor  children,  and  if  the  time  ever  comes  when  I  shall  be 
obliged  to  leave  my  little  girl  for  any  long  period,  may  I  send 
her  here  for  safety,  until  I  can  claim  her  ?  She  shall  cost  you 
nothing  but  care  and  watchfulness.  I  could  work  so  much 
better,  if  my  mind  were  only  easy  about  her;  if  I  knew  she  was 
safely  housed  in  this  sanctuary  of  peace." 

Ah  !  how  irresistible  was  the  pathetic  pleading  of  the  tearful 
eyes  ; — but  Mr.  Hargrove  did  not  immediately  respond  to  the 
appeal. 

"  I  understand  your  silence, — you  think  me  presumptuous 
in  my  request,  and  I  dare  say  I  am,  but -" 

"  No  madam,  not  at  all  presumptuous.  I  hesitate  habitually 
before  assuming  grave  responsibility,  and  I  only  regret  that  I 
did  not  hesitate  longer, — four  years  ago.  A  man's  first  instincts 
of  propriety,  of  right  and  wrong,  should  never  be  smothered  by 
persuasion,  nor  wrestled  down  and  overcome  by  subtle  and  self 
ish  reasoning.  I  blame  myself  for  much  that  has  occurred,  and 
I  am  willing  to  do  all  that  I  can,  toward  repairing  my  error. 
If  your  child  should  ever  really  need  a  guardian,  bring  or  send 
her  to  me,  and  I  will  shield  her  to  the  full  extent  of  my  ability." 


INFELICE.  "23 

Ere  he  was  aware  of  her  intention,  she  caught  his  hand,  and 
as  she  carried  it  to  her  lips,  he  felt  her  tears  falling  fast. 

"  God  bless  you  for  your  goodness  !  I  have  one  thing  more 
to  ask  ; — promise  me  that  you  will  divulge  to  no  one,  what  I 
have  told  you.  Let  it  rest  between  God,  and  you,  and  me." 

"  I  promise." 

"  In  the  great  city  where  I  labor,  I  bear  an  assumed  name, 
and  none  must  know,  at  least  for  the  present — whom  I  am. 
Realizing  fully  the  unscrupulous  character  of  the  men  with 
whom  I  have  to  deal,  my  only  hope  of  redress  is  in  preserving 
the  secret  for  some  years,  and  not  even  my  baby  can  know 
her  real  parentage  until  I  see  fit  to  tell  her.  You  will  not 
betray  me,  even  to  my  child  ?  " 

"You  may  trust  me." 

"Thank  you,  more  than  mere  words  could  ever. express." 

"  May  God  help  you  Mrs.  Laurance,  to  walk  circumspectly, 
— to  lead  a  blameless  life."  • 

He  took  his  hat  from  the  stand  in  the  hall,  and  silently  they 
walked  down  to  the  parsonage  gate.  The  driver  dismounted 
and  opened  the  carriage  door,  but  the  draped  figure  lingered, 
with  her  hand  upon  the  latch. 

"If  I  should  die  before  we  meet  again,  you  will  not  allow 
them  to  trample  upon  my  child  ?  " 

"  I  will  do  my  duty  faithfully." 

"  Remember  that  none  must  know  I  am  Minnie  Laurance, 
until  I  give  you  permission ;  for  snares  have  been  set  all  along 
my  path,  and  calumny  is  ambushed  at  every  turn.  Good  bye 
Sir.  The  God  of  orphans  will  one  day  requite  you." 

The  light  from  the  carriage  lamp  shone  down  on  her  as  she 
turned  toward  it,  and  in  subsequent  years  the  pastor  was 
haunted  by  the  marvellous  beauty  of  the  spirituelle  features, 
the  mournful  splendor  of  the  large  misty  eyes,  and  the  golden 
glint  of  the  rippling  hair  that  had  fallen  low  upon  her  temples. 

"  If  it  were  not. so  late,  I  would  accompany  you  to  the  Rail 
way  Station.  You  will  have  a  lonely  ride.  Good  bye  Mrs, 
Laurance." 


24  INFELICE. 

"  Lonely — Sir  ?     Aye — lonely  for  ever." 

She  laughed  bitterly,  and  entered  the  carriage. 

"  Laughed,  and  the  echoes  huddling  in  affright, 
Like  Odin's  hounds  fled  baying  down  the  night." 


CHAPTER  II. 

ITH  the  night,  passed  the  storm  which  had  rendered 
it  so  gloomy,  and  the  fair  cold  day  shone  upon  a 
world  shrouded  in  icy  cerements  ;  a  hushed  wind 
less  world,  as  full  of  glittering  rime-runes  as  the  frozen  fields 
of  Jotunheim.  Each  tree  and  shrub  seemed  a  .springing 
fountain,  suddenly  crystallized  in  mid-air,  and  not  all  the  medi 
aeval  marvels  of  Murano  equalled  the  fairy  fragile  tracery  of 
fine  spun  glassy  web,  and  film  and  fringe  that  stretched  along 
fences,  hung  from  eaves,  and  belaced  the  ivy  leaves  that  lay 
helpless  on  the  walls.  A  blanched  waning  moon,  a  mere  silver 
crescent  shivered  upon  the  edge  of  the  western  horizon,  fleeing 
before  the  scarlet  and  orange  lances  that  already  bristled  along 
the  Eastern  sky-line,  the  advance  guard  of  the  conqueror,  who 
would  ere  many  moments,  smite  all  that  weird  icy  realm  with 
consuming  flames.  The  very  air  seemed  frozen,  and  refused 
to  vibrate  in  trills  and  roulades  through  the  throaty  org  ins  of 
matutinal  birds,  that  hopped  and  blinked,  plumed  their  dia 
monded  breasts,  and  scattered  brilliants  enough  to  set  a  tiara ; 
and  profound  silence  brooded  over  the  scene,  until  rudely 
broken  by  a  cry  of  dismay  which  rang  out  startlingly  from  the 
parsonage.  The  alarm  might  very  readily  have  been  ascribed 
to  diligent  Hannah,  who  contemptuous  of  barometric  or  thermal 
vicissitudes  invariably  adhered  to  the  aphorism  of  Solomon,  and 
arising  "  while  it  is  yet  night, — looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her 
household." 

With  a  broom  in  one  hand,  and  feather  dusting  brush  in  the 


INF E  LICE.  25 

other,  she  ran  down  the  front  steps,  her  white  cap  strings  flying 
like  distress  signals, — bent  down  to  the  ground  as  a  blood 
hound  might  in  scenting  a  trail, — then  clashed  back  into  the 
quiet  old  house,  and  uttered  a  wolfish  cry  : 

"  Robbers  !  Burglars  !  Thieves  !  " 

Oppressed  with  compassionate  reflections  concerning  the 
fate  of  his  visitor,  the  minister  had  found  himself  unable  to 
sleep  as  soundly  as  usual,  and  from  the  troubled  slumber  into 
which  he  sank  after  daylight,  he  was  aroused  by  the  unwonted 
excitement  that  reigned  in  the  hall,  upon  which  his  apartment 
opened.  While  hastily  dressing,  his  toilette  labors  were  expe 
dited  by  an  impatient  rap  which  only  Hannah's  heavy  hand 
could  have  delivered.  Wrapped  in  his  dressing  gown  he  opened 
the  door,  saying  benignly  : 

"  Is  there  an  earthquake  or  a  cyclone  ?  You  thunder  as  if 
my  room  were  Mount  Celion.  Is  any  one  dead  ?" 

"  Some  one  ought  to  be  !  The  house  was  broken  open  last 
night,  and  the  silver  urn  is  missing.  Shameless  wretch  !  This 
comes  of  mysteries  and  veiled  women,  who  are  too  modest  to 
look  an  honest  female  in  the  face,  but " 

"  Oh  Hannah  !  that  tongue  of  thine  is  more  murderous  than 
Cyrus'  scythed  chariots  !  Here  is  your  urn  !  I  put  it  away  last 
night,  because  I  saw  from  the  newspapers  that  a  quantity  of 
plate  had  recently  been  stolen.  Poor  Hannah  !  don't  scowl  so 
ferociously  because  I. have  spoiled  your  little  tragedy.  I  believe 
you  are  really  sorry  to  see  the  dear  old  thing  safe  in  defiance  of 
your  prophecy." 

Mrs.  Lindsay  came  down  stairs  laughing  heartily,  and  mena 
cing  irate  Hannah  with  the  old  fashioned  urn,  which  had  sup 
plied  three  generations  with  tea. 

"  Is  that  the  sole  cause  of  the  disturbance  ? "  asked  the 
master,  stooping  to  pat  Biorn,  who  was  dancing  a  tarantella 
on  the  good  man's  velvet  slippers. 

Somewhat  crestfallen,  the  woman  seized  the  urn,  began  to 
polish  it  with  her  apron,  and  finally  said  sulkily  : 

"  I  beg  pardon  for  raising  a  false  alarm,  but  indeed  it  looked 


2  6  INFELICE. 

suspicious  and  smelled  of  foul  play,  when  I  found  the  library 
window  wide  open,  two  chairs  upside  down  on  the  carpet, — • 
mud  on  the  window-sill,  the  inkstand  upset, — and  no  urn  on 
the  sideboard.  But  as  usual  I  am  only  an  old  fool,  and  you 
Sir,  and  Miss  Elise  know  best.  I  am  very  sorry  I  roused  you 
so  early  with  my  racket." 

"  Did  you  say  the  library  window  wide  open  ?  Impossible  ; — I 
distinctly  recollect  closing  the  blinds,  and  putting  down  the  sash 
before  I  went  to  bed.  Elise  were  you  not  with  me  at  the  time  ?" 

"Yes  I  am  sure  you  secured  it,  just  before  bidding  me  good 
night." 

"  Well — no  matter,  facts  are  ugly  stubborn  things.  Now 
you  two  just  see  for  yourselves,  what  I  found  this  morning." 

Hannah  hurried  them  into  the  library,  where  a  fire  had  al 
ready  been  kindled,  and  her  statement  was  confirmed  by  the 
disarranged  furniture,  and  traces  of  mud  on  the  window  sill  and 
carpet.  The  inkstand  had  rolled  almost  to  the  hearth,  scatter 
ing  its  contents  en  route,  and  as  he  glanced  at  his  desk,  the 
minister  turned  pale. 

The  secret  drawer  which  opened  with  a  spring,  had  been 
pulled  out  to  its  utmost  extent,  and  he  saw  that  the  tin  box,  he 
had  so  carefully  locked  the  previous  night,  was  missing.  Some 
MSS  were  scattered  loosely  in  the  drawer,  and  the  purse  filled 
with  gold  coins, — a  handsomely  set  miniature, — and  heavy 
watch  chain  with  seal  attached, — all  lay  untouched,  though 
conspicuously  alluring  to  the  cupidity  of  burglars.  Bending 
over  his  rifled  sanctuary,  Mr.  Hargrove  sighed,  and  a  grieved 
look  settled  on  his  countenance. 

"  Peyton  do  you  miss  anything  ?  " 

"  Only  a  box  of  papers." 

"  Were  they  valuable  ?" 

"  Pecuniarily  no  ; — at  least  not  convertible  into  money. 
In  other  respects,  very  important." 

"Not  your  beautiful  sermons,  I  hope,"  cried  his  sister, 
throwing  one  arm  around  his  neck,  and  leaning  down  to  ex 
amine  the  remaining  contents  of  the  drawer. 


INFELICE.  27 

"  They  were  more  valuable  Eljse,  than  many  sermons,  and 
some  cannot  be  replaced." 

11  But  how  could  the  burglars  have  overlooked  the  money 
and  jewelry  ?  " 

Again  the  minister  sighed  heavily,  and  closing  the  drawer, 
said  : 

"  Perhaps  we  may  discover  some  trace  in  the  garden." 

"  Aye  Sir, — I  searched  before  I  raised  an  uproar,  and  here 
is  a  handkerchief  that  I  found  under  that  window,  on  the  violet 
bed.  It  was  frozen  fast  to  the  leaves." 

Hannah  held  it  up  between  the  tips  of  her  fingers,  as  if  fear 
ful  of  contamination,  and  eyed  it  with  an  expression  of  loath 
ing.  Mr.  Hargrove  took  it  to  the  light  and  examined  it,  while 
an- unwonted  frown  wrinkled  his  usually  placid  brow.  It  was  a 
dainty  square  of  finest  cambric,  bordered  with  a  wreath  of 
embroidered  lilies,  and  in  one  corner  exceedingly  embellished 
"  O  O  "  stared  like  wide  wondering  eyes,  at  the  strange  hands 
that  profaned  it. 

"  Do  you  notice  what  a  curious  outlandish  smell  it  has  ?  It 
struck  my  nostrils  sharper  than  hartshorn  when  I  picked  it  up. 
No  rum-drinking,  tobacco-smoking  burglar  in  breeches  dropped 
that  lace  rag." 

Hannah  set  her  stout  arms  akimbo,  and  looked  "  unutter 
able  things"  at  the  delicate  fabric,  that  as  if  to  deprecate  its 
captors,  was  all  the  while  breathing  out  deliciously  sweet  but 
vague  hints, — now  of  eglantine,  and  now  of  that  subtle  spici- 
ness  that  dwells  in  daphnes,  and  anon  plays  hide  and  seek  in 
nutmeg  geranium  blooms. 

Reluctance  to  admission  of  the  suspicion  of  unworthiness  in 
others,  is  the  invariable  concomitant  of  true  nobility  of  soul  in 
all  pure  and  exalted  natures, — and  with  that  genuine  chivalry, 
which  now  alas  !  is  well  nigh  as  rare  as  the  aumoniere  of  pil 
grims,  the  pastor  bravely  cast  around  the  absent  woman  the 
broad  soft  ermine  of  his  tender  charity. 

"  Hannah,  if  your  insinuations  point  to  the  lady  who  called 
here  last  night,  I  can  easily  explain  the  suspicious  fact  of  the 


28  INF  ELI  CE. 

handkerchief,  which  certainly  belongs  to  her ;  for  the  room  was 
close,  and  my  visitor  having  raised  that  window  and  leaned 
out  for  fresh  air,  doubtless  dropped  her  handkerchief,  without 
observing  the  loss." 

"  Do  the  initials  '  0  O'  represent  her  name  ?  "  asked  Mrs. 
Lindsay,  whose  adroitly  propounded  interrogatories  the  previ 
ous  evening  had  elicited  no  satisfactory  information. 

"  Do  not  ladies  generally  stamp  their  own  monograms  when 
marking  articles  that  compose  their  wardrobes  ?  "  He  put  the 
unlucky  piece  of  cambric  in  his  pocket,  and  pertinacious  Han 
nah  suddenly  stooped  and  dealt  Biorn  a  blow,  which  astonished 
the  spectators  even  more  than  the  yelping  recipient,  who 
dropped  something  at  her  feet  and  crawled  behind  his  master. 

"  You  horrid  greedy  pest !  Are  you  in  league  with  the 
thieves,  that  you  must  needs  try  to  devour  the  signs  and  tell 
tales  they  dropped  in  the  track  of  their  dirty  work  ?  It  is  only 
a  glove  this  time,  Sir,  and  it  was  all  crumpled,  just  so, — where 
I  first  saw  it,  when  I  ran  out  to  hunt  for  footprints.  It  was 
hanging  on  the  end  of  a  rose-bush,  yonder  near  the  snowball, 
and  you  see  it  was  rather  too  far  from  the  window  here,  to  have 
fallen  down  with  the  handkerchief.  Look  Miss  Elise, — your 
hands  are  small, — but  this  would  pinch  even  your  fingers." 

She  triumphantly  lifted  a  lady's  kid  glove,  brown  in  color  and 
garnished  with  three  small  oval  silver  buttons ; — the  exact  mate  of 
one  which  Mr.  Hargrove  had  noticed  the  previous  evening,  when 
the  visitor  held  up  the  ring  for  his  inspection.  Exulting  in  the 
unanswerable  logic  of  this  latest  fact,  Hannah  quite  uninten 
tionally  gave  the  glove  a  scornful  toss,  which  caused  it  to  fall 
into  the  fireplace,  and  down  between  two  oak  logs,  where  it 
shrivelled  instantaneously.  Unfortunately  science  is  not  chiv- 
alric,  and  divulges  the  unamiable  and  ungraceful  truth,  that  per 
verted  female  natures  from  even  the  lower  beastly  types  are 
more  implacably  vindictive,  more  subtly  malicious,  more  ingen 
iously  cruel  than  the  stronger  sex  ;  and  when  a  woman  essays 
to  track,  to  capture,  or  to  punish — rae  victis. 

"  Now,  Biorn  !  improve  your  opportunity  and  heap  coals  of 


INF '£ LICE.  29 

fire  on  slandeious  Hannah's  head,  by  assuring  her  yon  feel  con 
vinced  she  did  not  premeditateclly  destroy  traces,  ami  connive 
at  the  escape  of  the  burglars,  by  burning  that  most  important 
glove,  which  might  have  aided  us  in  identifying  them." 

As  Mr.  Hargrove  caressed  his  dog,  he  smiled,  evidently  re 
lieved  by  the  opportune  accident,  but  Mrs.  Lindsay  looked 
grave,  and  an  indignant  Hush  purpled  the  harsh,  pitiless  face  of 
the  servant,  who  sullenly  turned  away,  and  busied  herself  in 
putting  the  furniture  in  order. 

"  Peyton,  were  the  stolen  papers  of  a  character  to  benefit 
that  person, — or  indeed  anyone  but  yourself,  or  your  family  ?" 

He  knew  the  soft  blue  eyes  of  his  sister  were  watching  him 
keenly, — saw  too  that  the  old  servant  stood  still,  and  turned 
her  head  to  listen,  and  he  answered  without  hesitation  : 

"  The  box  contained  the  deed  to  a  disputed  piece  of  property, 
those  iron  and  lead  mines  in  Missouri, — and  1  relied  upon  it 
to  establish  my  claim." 

"  Was  the  lady  who  visited  you  last  night,  in  any  manner  in 
terested  in  that  suit,  or  its  result  ?  " 

"  Not  in  the  remotest  degree.  She  cannot  even  be  aware  of 
its  existence.  In  addition  to  the  deed,  I  have  lost  the  policy 
of  insurance  on  this  house,  which  has  always  been  entrusted  to 
me,  and  I  must  immediately  notify  the  company  of  the  fact, 
and  obtain  a  duplicate  policy.  Elise  will  you  and  Hannah 
please  give  me  my  breakfast  as  soon  as  possible,  that  I  may  go 
into  town  at  once  ?  " 

Walking  to  the  window,  he  stood  for  some  moments,  with  his 
hands  folded  behind  him,  and  as  he  noted  the  splendor  of  the 
spectacle  presented  by  the  risen  sun  shining  upon  temples  and 
palaces  of  ice,  prism-tinting  domes  and  minarets,  and  burnish 
ing  after  the  similitude  of  silver  stalactites  and  arcades  which 
had  built  themselves  into  crystal  campaniles,  more  glorious  than 
Giotto's,  — the  pastor  said: — "The  physical  world,  just  as  God 
left  it, — how  pure,  how  lovely,  how  entirely  good  ; — how  sacred 
from  His  hallowing  touch  !  Oh  !  that  th^world  of  men  and 
women  were  half  as  unchangingly  true,  stainless,  and  holy." 


3o  JNFELICR. 

An  hour  later  he  bent  his  steps, — not  to  the  lawyer's,  nor  yet 
to  the  insurance  office,  but  to  the  depot  of  the  only  railroad 
which  passed  through  the  quiet,  old-fashioned,  and  compara 
tively  unimportant  town  of  V . 

The  station  agent  was  asleep  upon  a  sofa  in  the  reception- 
room,  but  when  aroused  informed  Dr.  Hargrove  that  the  down 
train  bound  south,  had  been  accidentally  detained  four  hours, 
and  instead  of  being  "on  time," — due  at  eleven  P.M.,  did  not 

pass  through  V until  after  three  A.M.  A  lady  corresponding 

in  all  respects  with  the  minister's  description,  had  arrived  about 
seven,  on  the  up  train, — left  a  small  valise,  or  rather  traveller's 
satchel. — for  safe  keeping  in  the  baggage  room  ;  had  inquired 
at  what  time  she  could  catch  the  down  train,  signifying  her  in 
tention  to  return  upon  it,  and  had  hired  one  of  the  carriages 
always  waiting  for  passengers,  and  disappeared.  About  eleven 
o'clock  she  came  back,  paid  the  coachman  and  dismissed  the 
carriage  ;  seemed  very  cold,  and  the  agent  built  a  good  fire, 
telling  her  she  could  take  a  nap  as  the  train  was  behind  time, 
and  he  would  call  her  when  he  heard  the  whistle.  He  then 
went  home,  several  squares  distant,  to  see  one  of  his  children 
who  was  quite  ill,  and  when  he  returned  to  the  station  and 
peeped  into  the  reception  room  to  see  if  it  kept  warm  and  com 
fortable,  not  a  soul  was  visible.  He  wondered  where  the  lady 
could  have  gone  at  that  hour,  and  upon  such  a  freezing  night, 
but  sat  down  by  the  grate  in  the  freight-room,  and  when  the 

down  train  blew  for  V ,  he  took  his  lantern  and  went  out, 

and  the  first  person  he  saw  was  the  missing  lady.  She  asked 
for  her  satchel,  which  he  gave  her,  and  he  handed  her  up  to  the 
platform,  and  saw  her  go  into  the  ladies'  car. 

"  Had  she  a  package  or  box,  when  she  returned  and  asked 
for  her  satchel  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  see  any,  but  she  wore  a  waterproof  of  gray  cloth 
that  came  down  to  her  feet.  There  was  so  much  confusion 
when  the  train  came  in,  that  I  scarcely  noticed  her,  but  remem 
ber  she  shivered  a  good  deal,  as  if  almost  frozen." 

"  Did  she  buy  a  return  ticket  ?  " 


IN  FELICE.  3! 

"  No,  I  asked  if  I  should  go  to  the  ticket  office  for  her,  but 
she  thanked  me  very  politely,  and  said  she  would  not  require 
anything." 

"  Can  you  tell  -me  to  what  place  she  was  going?" 

"  I  do  not  know  where  she  came  from,  nor  where  she  went. 
She  was  most  uncommonly  beautiful." 

"Are  the  telegraph  wires  working  South?" 

"  Why  bless  you  Sir  !  they  are  down  in  several  places,  from 
the  weight  of  the  ice,  so  I  heard  the  station  operator  say,  just 
before  you  came  in." 

As  Dr.  Hargrove  walked  away,  an  expression  of  stern  indig 
nation  replaced  the  benign  look  that  usually  reigned  over  his 
noble  features,  and  he  now  resolutely  closed  all  the  avenues  of 
compassion,  along  which  divers  fallacious  excuses  and  charita 
ble  conjectures  had  marched  into  his  heart,  and  stifled  for  a 
time  the  rigorous  verdict  of  reason. 

He  had  known  from  the  moment  he  learned  the  tin  box  was 
missing,  that  only  the  frail,  fair  fingers  of  Minnie  Merle  could 
have  abstracted  it,  but  justice  demanded  that  he  should  have 

indisputable  proof  of  her  presence  in  V after  twelve 

o'clock,  for  he  had  not  left  the  library  until  that  hour,  and  knew 
that  the  train  passed  through  at  eleven. 

Conviction  is  the  pitiless  work  of  unbiased  reason,  but  faith 
is  the  acceptance  thereof,  by  will,  and  he  would  not  wholly 
believe  , until  there  was  no  alternative.  Falsus  in  uno,  falsus 
in  omnibus ;  and  quite  naturally  Dr.  Hargrove  began  to  dis 
credit  the  entire  narrative  of  wrongs,  which  had  attained  colos 
sal  proportions  from  her  delineation,  and  to  censure  himself 
most  harshly  for  having  suffered  this  dazzling  Delilah  to  extort 
from  him  a  solemn  promise  of  secrecy  ;  for  unworthy  of  sym 
pathy  as  he  now  deemed  her.  his  rigid  rectitude  would  not 
permit  him  to  regard  that  unworthiness  as  sufficient  justifica 
tion  for  abrogating  his  plighted  word.  Suspicious  facts  which 
twelve  hours  before  had  been  hushed  by  the  soft  spell  of  her 
rich  plaintive  voice,  now  started  up  clamorous  and  accusing, 
and  the  pastor  could  not  avoid  beholding  the  discrepancy 


3*  IN  FELICE. 

between  her  pleas  of  poverty  and  friendlessness,  and  the  costly 
appearance  of  her  apparel, — coupled  with  her  refusal  to  ac 
quaint  him  with  her  means  of  maintenance. 

If,  as  she  had  averred,  the  stolen  license  was, — with  the 
exception  of  his  verbal  testimony, — the  sole  proof  of  her  mar 
riage,  why  was  she  not  satisfied  with  the  copy  given  to  her, 
unless  for  some  unrighteous  motive  she  desired  to  possess  in 
order  to  destroy  all  evidence  ? 

Surmise,  with  crooked  and  uncertain  finger  had  pointed  to 
New  York, — whose  broad  deep  bosom  shelters  so  many  help 
less  human  waifs, — as  her  probable  place  of  destination  •  and 
had  the  telegraph-wires  been  in  successful  operation  he  would 
have  hazarded  the  experiment  of  requesting  her  arrest  at  the 
terminus  of  the  Railway ;  but  this  was  impracticable,  and 
each  succeeding  hour  aided  in  obliterating  the  only  clew  in  his 
possession. 

The  universal  observation  of  man,  ages  ago, — simmered 
down  and  crystallized  into  the  adage, — "misfortunes  never 
come  singly;"  and  it  is  here  respectfully  submitted — that 
startling  episodes,  unexpected  incidents  quite  as  rarely  travel 
alone.  Do  surprises  gravitate  into  groups,  or  are  certain  facts 
binary  ? 

Sometimes  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  the  sluggish  stream  of 
life  oozes  by,  bearing  no  hint  of  deeds,  or  faces, — that  per 
chance  shed  glory,  or  perhaps  lent  gloom  to  the  far  past, — a 
past  well  nigh  forgotten  and  inurned  in  the  gathering  gray  of 
time, — and  suddenly  without  premonition,  the  slow  monoto 
nous  current  ripples  and  swells  into  waves  that  bear  to  our  feet 
fateful  countenances,  unwelcome  as  grave-ghouls, — and  the 
world  grows  garrulous  of  incidents  that  once  more  galvanize 
the  shrouded  By-gone.  For  four  years  the  minister  had  re 
ceived  no  tidings  of  those,  whom  he  had  so  reluctantly  joined 
in  the  bonds  of  wedlock,  and  not  even  a  reminiscence  of  that 
singular  bridal  party  had  floated  into  his  quiet  parsonage  study ; 
but  within  twenty-four  hours  he  seemed  destined  to  garner  a 
plentiful  harvest  of  disagreeable  data,  for  future  speculation. 


INFELICE.  33 

He  had  not  yet  reached  his  lawyer's  office,  when  hearing  his 
name  pronounced  vociferously,  Dr.  Hargrove  looked  around 
and  saw  the  Post-Master  standing  in  his  door,  and  calling  on 
him  to  enter. 

"  Pardon  me  my  dear  Sir,  for  shouting  after  you,  so  uncere 
moniously,  but  I  saw  you  were  not  coming  in,  and  knew  it 
would  promote  your  interest  to  pay  me  a  visit.  Fine  day  at 
last,  after  all  the  rain  and  murky  weather.  This  crisp  frosty  air 
sharpens  one's  wits, — a  sort  of  atmospheric  pumice, — don't  you 
see,  and  tempts  me  to  drive  a  good  bargain.  How  much  will 
you  give  for  a  letter  that  has  travelled  half  around  the  world, 
and  had  as  many  adventures  as  Robinson  Crusoe,  or  Madame 
Pfeiffer?" 

He  took  from  a  drawer  a  dingy  and  much  defaced  envelope, 
whose  address  was  rather  indistinct  from  having  encountered  a 
bath  on  its  journey." 

"Are  you  sure  that  it  is  for  me?"  asked  the  minister,  trying 
to  decipher  the  uncertain  characters. 

"Are  there  two  of  your  name?  This  is  intended  for  Rever 
end  Peyton  Hargrove  of  St. Church — V ,  United  States 

of  America.  It  was  enclosed  to  me  by  the  Post  Master  Gen 
eral,  who  says  that  it  arrived  last  week  in  the  long  lost  mail  of 
the  steamship  "  Algol,"  which  you  doubtless  recollect  was  lost 
some  time  ago, — plying  between  New  York  and  Havre.  It 
now  appears  that  a  Dutch  sailing  vessel  bound  for  Tasmania — 
wherever  that  may  be, — somewhere  among  the  cannibals  I 
presume, — boarded  her  after  she  had  been  deserted  by  the 
crew,  and  secured  the  mail  bags,  intending  to  put  in  along  the 
Spanish  coast  and  land  them,  but  stress  of  weather  drove  them 
so  far  out  to  sea,  that  they  sailed  on  to  some  point  in  Africa, 
and  as  the  post  masters  in  that  progressive  and  enlightened 
region  did  not  serve  their  apprenticeship  in  the  United  States' 
Postal  Bureau,  you  perceive  that  your  document  has  not  had 
"dispatch."  If  saltwater  is  ever  a  preservative,  your  news 
ought  not  to  be  stale." 

"Thank  you.     I  hope  the  contents  will  prove  worthy  of  the 


34  INFELICE. 

care  and  labor  of  its  transmission.  I  see  it  is  dated  Paris — one 
year  ago,  nearly.  I  am  much  obliged  by  your  kind  courtesy. 
Good  day." 

Dr.  Hargrove  walked  on,  and  somewhat  disappointed  in  not 
receiving  a  moiety  of  information,  by  way  of  recompense,  the 
Post  Master  added  : 

"If  you  find  it  is  not  your  letter,  bring  it  back,  and  I  will 
start  it  on  another  voyage  of  discovery,  for  it  certainly  deserves 
to  get  home." 

"  There  is  no  doubt  whatever  about  it.  It  was  intended  for 
me." 

Unfolding  the  letter,  he  had  glanced  at  the  signature,  and 
now  hurrying  homeward,  read  as  follows  : 

"PARIS,  February  ist,    18 — . 

"  REV.  PEYTON  HARGROVE  : — Hoping  that  while  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  facts  and  circumstances,  you  unintentionally  in 
flicted  upon  me  an  incalculable  injury,  I  reluctantly  address  you 
with  reference  to  a  subject  fraught  with  inexpressible  pain  and 
humiliation.  Through  your  agency,  the  happiness  and  welfare 
of  my  only  child,  and  the  proud  and  unblemished  name  of  a 
noble  family  have  been  well  nigh  wrecked  ;  but  my  profound 
reverence  for  your  holy  office — persuades  me  to  believe  that 
you  were  unconsciously  the  dupe  of  unprincipled  and  designing 

parties.     When  my  son  Cuthbert  entered University, 

he  was  all  that  my  fond  heart  desired,  all  that  his  sainted  mother 
could  have  hoped,  and  no  young  gentleman  on  the  wide  conti 
nent  gave  fairer  promise  of  future  usefulness  and  distinction  ; 
but  one  year  of  demoralizing  association  with  dissipated  and 
reckless  youths  undermined  the  fair  moral  and  intellectual 
structure  I  had  so  laboriously  raised,  and  in  an  unlucky  hour 
he  fell  a  victim  to  alluring  vices.  Intemperance  gradually 
gained  such  supremacy  that  he  was  threatened  with  expulsion, 
and  to  crown  all  other  errors,  he  was,  while  intoxicated,  en- 
veigled  into  a  so-called  marriage  with  a  young  but  notorious 
girl,  whose  only  claim  was  her  pretty  face,  while  her  situation 


INFELICE. 


35 


was  hopelessly  degraded.  This  creature,  Minnie  Merle,  had 
an  infirm  grandmother,  who  in  order  to  save  the  reputation  of 
the  unfortunate  girl,  appealed  so  adroitly  to  Cuthbert's  high 
sense  of  honor,  that  her  arguments  emphasized  by  the  girl's 
beauty  and  helplessness,  prevailed  over  reason,  and — I  may  add 
— decency, — and  one  day  when  almost  mad  with  brandy  and 
morphine,  he  consented  to  call  her  his  wife.  Neither  was  of 
age,  and  my  son  was  not  only  a  minor,  (lacking  two  months  of 
being  twenty,)  but  on  that  occasion  was  utterly  irrational  and 
irresponsible,  as  I  am  prepared  to  prove.  They  intended  to 
conceal  the  whole  shameful  affair  from  me,  but  the  old  grand 
mother — fearing  that  some  untoward  circumstance  might  mar 
the  scheme  of  possessing  the  ample  fortune  she  well  knew  my 
boy  expected  to  control, — wrote  me  all  the  disgraceful  facts, 
imploring  my  clemency,  and  urging  me  to  remove  Cuthbert 
from  associates  outside  of  his  classmates,  who  were  dragging 
him  to  ruin.  If  you  my  dear  sir  are  a  father,  (and  I  hope  you 
are,)  paternal  sympathy  will  enable  you  to  realize  approximately 
the  grief,  indignation,  almost  despairing  rage  into  which  I  was 
plunged.  Having  informed  myself  through  a  special  agent  sent 
to  the  University, — of  the  utter  unworthiness  and  disreputable 
character  of  the  connection  forced  upon  me,  I  telegraphed  for 
Cuthbert,  alleging  some  extraneous  cause  for  requiring  his  pres 
ence.  Three  days  after  his  arrival  at  home,  I  extorted  a  full 
confession  from  him, — and  we  were  soon  upon  the  Atlantic. 
For  a  time  I  feared  that  inebriation  had  seriously  impaired  his 
intellect,  but  thank  God !  temperate  habits  and  a  good  consti 
tution  finally  prevailed,  and  when  a  year  after  we  left  America, 
Cuthbert  realized  all  that  he  had  hazarded  during  his  temporary 
insanity,  he  was  so  overwhelmed  with  mortification  and  horror, 
that  he  threatened  to  destroy  himself.  Satisfied  that  he  was 
more  "sinned  against,  than  sinning,"  I  yet  endeavored  to  deal 
justly  with  the  unprincipled  authors  of  the  stain  upon  my  family, 
and  employed  a  discreet  agent  to  negotiate  with  them,  and  to 
try  to  effect  some  compromise.  The  old  woman  went  out  to 
California,  the  young  one  refused  all  overtures,  and  for  a  time 


3  6  INFELICE. 

disappeared,  but  as  I  am  reliably  informed,  is  now  living  in 
New  York,  supported  no  one  knows — exactly — by  whom.  Re 
cently  she  has  made  an  imperious  demand  for  the  recognition 
of  a  child,  who,  she  declares  shall  one  day  inherit  the  Laurance 
estate,  but  I  have  certain  facts  in  my  possession,  which  invali 
date  this  claim,  and  if  necessary  can  produce  a  certificate  to 
prove  that  the  birth  of  the  child  occurred  only  seven  months 
after  the  date  of'  the  ceremony,  which  she  contends  made  her 
Cuthberf  s  wife.  She  rejects  the  abundant  pecuniary  provision 
which  has  been  repeatedly  offered,  and  in  her  last  impertinent 
and  insanely  abusive  communication,  threatens  a  suit  to  force  the 
acknowledgment  of  the  marriage,  and  of  the  child  ; — stating  that 
you  Sir,  hold  the  certificate  or  rather  the  license  warranting  the 
marriage,  and  that  you  will  espouse  and  aid  in  prosecuting  her 
iniquitous  claims.  My  son  is  now  a  reformed  and  compara 
tively  happy  man,  but  should  this  degrading  and  bitterly  re 
pented  episode  of  his  college  life  be  thrust  before  the  public, 
and  allowed  to  blacken  the  fair  escutcheon  we  are  so  jealously 
anxious  to  protect,  I  dread  the  consequences.  Only  horror  of 
a  notorious  scandal,  prevented  me  long  ago  from  applying  for 
a  divorce,  which  could  very  easily  have  been  obtained,  but  we 
shrink  from  the  publicity,  and  moreover  the  case  does  not  seem 
to  demand  compliance,  with  even  the  ordinary  forms  of  law. 
Believing  that  you,  my  dear  sir,  would  not  avow  yourself  parti- 
ceps  criminis  in  so  unjust  and  vile  a  crusade  against  the  peace 
and  honor  of  my  family,  were  you  acquainted  with  the  facts,  I 
have  taken  the  liberty  of  writing  you  this  brief  and  incomplete 
resume  of  the  outrages  perpetrated  upon  me  and  mine,  and  must 
refer  you  for  disgraceful  details  to  my  agent,  Mr.  Peleg  Peter 
son  of  Whitefield, Co., .  Hoping  that  you  will  not  add 

to  the  injury  you  have  already  inflicted,  by  further  complicity 
in  this  audacious  scheme  of  fraud  and  blackmail, 

"  I  am — dear  Sir,  respectfully, 

"An  afflicted  father, 

"  RENE  LAURANCE. 
"  T.S. — Should  you  desire  to  communicate  with  me,  my  ad- 


INF  ELI  CE.  37 

dress  for  several  months  will  be,  care  of  the  American  Legation 
,— Paris." 

How  many  men  or  women,  with  lives  of  average  length  and 
'incident  have  .failed  to  recognize,  nay  to  cower  before  the  fact, 
that  all  along  the  highways  and  byways  of  the  earthly  pilgrim 
age  they  have  been  hounded  by  a  dismal  cortege  of  retarded 
messages, — lost  opportunities, — miscarried  warnings, — procras 
tinated  prayers, — dilatory  deeds, — and  laggard  faces, — that  howl 
forever  in  their  shuddering  ears — "Too  Late."  Had  Dr.  Har 
grove  received  this  letter  only  twenty-four  hours  earlier,  the 
result  of  the  interview  on  the  previous  night  would  probably 
have  been  very  different ;  but  unfortunately,  while  the  army  of 
belated  facts, — the  fatal  Grouchy  corps — never  accomplish  their 
intended  mission,  they  avenge  their  failure  by  a  pertinacious 
presence  ever  after,  that  is  sometimes  almost  maddening. 

An  uncomfortable  consciousness  of  having  been  completely 
overreached,  did  not  soften  the  minister's  feelings  toward  the 
new  custodian  of  his  tin  box,  and  an  utter  revulsion  of  senti 
ment  ensued,  wherein  sympathy  for  Gen'l  Rene  Laurance 
reigned  supreme.  Oh  instability  of  human  compassion  !  To 
day  at  the  tumultuous  flood, — we  weep  for  Caesar  slain  ;  To 
morrow  in  the  ebb, — we  vote  a  monument  to  Brutus. 

Ere  the  sun  had  gone  down  behind  the  sombre  frozen  firs  that 

fringed  the  hills  of  V Dr.  Hargrove  had  written  to  Mr.  Peleg 

Peterson,  desiring  to  be  furnished  with  some  clew,  by  which  he 
could  trace  Minnie  Merle,  and  Hannah  had  been  despatched 
to  the  Post  Office,  to  expedite  the  departure  of  the  letter. 

Weeks  and  months  passed,  tearful  April  wept  itself  away  in 
the  flowery  lap  of  blue-eyed  May,  and  golden  June  roses  died 
in  the  fiery  embrace  of  July,  but  no  answer  came  ;  no  addi 
tional  information  drifted  upon  the  waves  of  chance,  and  the 
slow  stream  of  life  at  the  Parsonage  once  more  crept  silently, 
and  monotonously  on. 

*'  Some  griefs  gnaw  deep.      Some  woes  are  hard  to  bear. 
Who  knows  the  Past?  and  who  can  judge  us  right  ?  " 


38  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER    III. 

JHE  sweet  tongued  convent  bell  had  rung  the  Angelas, 
and  all  within  the  cloistered  courts  was  hushed,  save 
the  low  monologue  of  the  fountain  whose  minor  mur 
muring  made  solemn  accord  with  the  sacred  harmonious  repose 
of  its  surroundings.  The  sun  shone  hot  and  blinding  upon  the 
towering  mass  of  brick  and  slate,  which  originally  designed  in 
the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  had  from  numerous  modern  addi 
tions  projected  here,  and  curved  into  a  new  chapel  yonder,  un 
til  the  acquisitive  building  had  become  eminently  composite  in 
its  present  style  of  architecture.  The  belfry  once  in  the  cen 
tre,  had  been  left  behind  in  the  onward  march  of  the  walls,  but 
it  lifted  unconquerably  in  mid-air,  its  tall  gilt  cross,  untarnished 
by  time,  though  ambitious  ivy  had  steadily  mounted  the  but 
tresses,  and  partially  draped  the  Gothic  arches,  where  blue  air 
once  shone  freely  through. 

The  court  upon  which  the  ancient  monastery  opened,  was 
laid  out  in  the  stiff  geometric  style,  which  universally  prevailed 
when  its  trim  hedges  of  box  were  first  planted,  and  giant  rose 
bushes,  stately  lilacs  and  snowballs  attested  the  careful  training 
and  attention  which  many  years  had  bestowed.  In  the  centre 
of  this  court,  and  surrounded  by  a  wide  border  of  luxuriant 
lilies,  was  a  triangular  pedestal  of  granite,  now  green  with  moss, 
and  spotted  with  silver  gray  lichen  groups, — upon  which  stood 
a  statue  of  St.  Francis,  bearing  the  stigmata,  and  wearing  the 
hood  drawn  over  his  head,  while  the  tunic  was  opened  to  display 
the  wound  in  his  side,  and  the  skull  and  the  crucifix  lay  at  his 
feet.  Close  to  the  base  of  the  pedestal,  crouched  a  marble 
iamb,  around  whose  neck  crept  a  slender  chain  of  bind-weed, 
and  above  whom  the  rank  green  lances  of  leaves  shot  up  to 
guard  the  numerous  silver  dusted-lilies  that  swung  like  snowy 
bells  in  the  soft  breeze,  dispensing  perfume,  instead  of  chimes. 
Quite  distinct  from  the  spacious  new  Chapel, — with  its  gilded 


INF  ELI  CE.  S9 

shrine,  picture-tapestried  walls,  and  gorgeous  stained  windows, 
where  the  outside-world  believers  were  allowed  to  worship, — 
stood  a  low  cruciform  oratory,  situated  within  the  stricter  con 
fines  of  the  monastery,  and  sacred  to  the  exclusive  use  of 
the  nuns.  This  chapel  was  immediately  opposite  the  St. 
Francis*,  and  to-day  as  the  old-fashioned  doors  of  elaborately 
carved  oak  were  thrown  wide,  the  lovely  mass  of  nodding  lilies 
seemed  bowing  in  adoration  before  the  image  of  the  Virgin  and 
Child,  who  crowned  the  altar  within,  while  the  dazzling  sheen 
of  noon  flashing  athwart  the  tessellated  floor," kindled  an  almost 
unearthly  halo  around 

"  Virgin,  and  Babe  and  Saint,  who 

With  the  same  cold,  calm,  beautiful  regard  " 

had  watched  for  many  weary  years  the  kneeling  devotees,  be 
neath  their  marble  feet. 

On  the  steps  of  the  altar  were  a  number  of  china  pots  con 
taining  rose  and  apple  geraniums  in  full  bloom, — and  one 
luxuriant  Grand  Duke  jasmine  all  starred  with  creamy  flowers, 
so  flooded  the  place  with  fragrance,  that  it  seemed  as  if  the 
vast  laboratory  of  floral  aromas  had  been  suddenly  unsealed. 

Upon  the  stone  pavement  immediately  in  front  of  the  altar, 
sat  a  little  figure  so  motionless,  that  a  casual  glance  would 
probably  have  included  it  among  the  consecrated  and  perma 
nent  images  of  the  silent  sanctuary  ; — the  figure  of  a  child,  whose 
age  could  not  have  been  accurately  computed  from  the  inspec 
tion  of  the  countenance,  which  indexed  a  degree  of  grave 
mature  wisdom  wholly  incompatible  with  the  height  of  the 
body,  and  the  size  of  the  limbs. 

If  devotional  promptings  had  brought  her  to  the  Nun's 
Chapel,  her  orisons  had  been  concluded,  for  she  had  turned  her 
back  upon  the  altar,  and  sat  gazing  sorrowfully  down  at  her  lap, 
where  lay  in  pathetic  pose,  a  white  rabbit  and  a  snowy  pigeon, 
— both  dead, — quite  stark  and  cold, — laid  out  in  state  upon 
the  spotless  linen  apron,  around  which  a  fluted  ruffle  ran 
crisp  and  smooth.  One  tiny  waxen  hand  held  a  broken  lily, 


40  INFELICE. 

and  the  other  was  vainly  pressed  upon  the  lids  of  the  rabbit's 
eyes,  trying  to  close  lovingly  the  pink  orbs,  that  now  stared  so 
distressingly  through  glazing  film.  The  first  passionate  burst  of 
grief  had  spent  its  force  in  the  tears  that  left  the  velvety  cheeks 
and  chin  as  dewy  as  rain-washed  rose  leaves,  while  not  a  trace  of 
moisture  dimmed  the  large  eyes  that  wore  a  proud,  defiant,  and 
much  injured  look,  as  though  resentment  were  strangling  sorrow. 

Unto  whom  or  what  shall  I  liken  this  fair  tender  childish 
face,  which  had  in  the  narrow  space  of  ten  years  gathered 
such  perfection  of  outline,  such  unearthly  purity  of  color, 
such  winsome  grace,  such  complex  expressions  ?  Probably 
amid  the  fig  and  olive  groves  of  Tuscany,  Fra  Bartolomeo 
found  just  such  an  incarnation  of  the  angelic  ideal,  which 
he  afterward  placed  for  the  admiration  of  succeeding  gen 
erations,  in  the  winged  heads  that  glorify  the  Madonna  dclla 
Misericordia.  The  stipple  of  time  dots  so  lightly,  so  slowly, 
that  at  the  age  of  ten,  a  human  countenance  should  present  a 
mere  fleshy  tabula  rasa,  but  now  and  then  we  are  startled  by 
meeting  a  child  as  unlike  the  round,  rosy,  pulpy,  dimpling, 
unwritten  faces  of  ordinary  life,  as  the  cherubs  of  Raphael — to 
the  rigid  forms  of  Byzantine  mosaics,  or  the  stone  portraiture 
of  Copan. 

As  she  sat  there,  in  the  golden  radiance  of  the  summer  noon, 
she  presented  an  almost  faultless  specimen  of  a  type  of  beauty 
that  is  rarely  found  now-a-day,  that  has  always  been  peculiar, 
and  bids  fair  to  become  extinct.  A  complexion  of  dazzling 
whiteness  and  transparency,  rendered  more  intensely  pure  by 
contrast  with  luxuriant  silky  hair  of  the  deepest  black, — and 
large  superbly  shaped  eyes  of  clear,  dark  steel  blue,  almost 
violet  in  hue, — with  delicately  arched  brows  and  very  long 
lashes  of  that  purplish  black  tint  which  only  the  trite  and  oft- 
borrowed  plumes  of  ravens  adequately  illustrate.  The  forehead 
'was  not  remarkable  for  height,  but  was  peculiarly  broad  and 
full,  with  unusual  width  between  the  eyes,  and  if  Strato  were 
correct  in  his  speculations  with  reference  to  Psyche's  throne, 
then  verily,  my  little  girl  did  not  cramp  her  soul  in  its  fleshy 


INFELICE.  41 

palace.  Daintily  moulded  in  figure  and  face,  every  feature 
instinct  with  a  certain  delicate  patricianism,  that  testified  to 
genuine  "  blue  blood,"  there  was  withal,  a  melting  tenderness 
about  the  parted  lips  that  softened  the  regal  contour  of  one, 
who  amid  the  universal  catalogue  of  feminine  names,  could 
never  have  been  appropriately  called  other  than  Regina. 

Over  in  the  new  chapel  across  the  court,  where  the  sacristan 
had  opened  two  of  the  crimson  and  green  windows  that  now 
lighted  the  gilt  altar  as  with  sacrificial  fire,  and  now  drenched  it 
with  cool  beryl  tints  that  extinguished  the  flames, — a  low  mur 
mur  became  audible,  swelling  and  rising  upon  the  air,  until  the 
thunder-throated  organ  filled  all  the  cloistered  recesses  with  re 
sponsive  echoes  of  Rossini.  Some  masterly  hand  played  the 
Recitative  of  "  Eia  Mater"  bringing  out  the  bass  with  powerful 
emphasis,  and  concluding  with  the  full  strains  of  the  chorus  ; — 
then  the  organ-tones  sank  into  solemn  minor  chords  indescrib 
ably  plaintive,  and  after  awhile  a  quartett  of  choir  voices  sang  the 

"  Sancta  Mater  !  istud  agas, 
Crucifixi  fige  plagas," — 

ending  with  the  most  impassioned  strain  of  the  "  Stabat 
Mater,"— 

"  Virgo  virginum  proeclara, 

Mihi  jam  non  sis  amara, 

Fac  me  tecum  plangere." 

Two  nuns  came  out  of  an  arched  doorway  leading  to  the 
Reception  Room  of  the  modern  building,  and  looked  up  and 
down  the  garden  walks,  talking  the  while  in  eager  undertones  ; 
then  paused  near  the  lily  bank,  and  one  called  : 

"  Regina!     Regina!" 

"  She  must  be  somewhere  in  the  Academy  play-ground,  I 
will  hunt  for  her  there  ;  or  perhaps  you  might  find  her  over  in 
the  church,  listening  to  the  choir  practising,  you  know  she  is 
strangely  fond  of  that  organ." 

The  speaker  turned  away  and  disappeared  in  the  cool  dim 


42  IN  FELICE. 

arch,  and  the  remaining  nun  moved  across  the  paved  walk, 
with  the  quick  noiseless  religious  tread,  peculiar  to  those 
sacred  conventual  retreats,  where  the  clatter  of  heels  is  an 
abomination  unknown. 

Pausing  in  front  of  the  chapel  door,  to  bend  low  before  the 
marble  Mother  on  the  shrine,  she  beheld  the  object  of  her 
search  and  glided  down  the  aisle  as  stealthily  as  a  moon-beam. 

"  Regina  didn't  you  hear  Sister  Gonzaga  calling  you  just 
now?" 

"  Yes  Sister." 

"  Did  you  answer  her  ?  " 

"No  Sister." 

"  Are  you  naughty  to-day,  and  in  penance  ?  " 

"  I  suppose  I  am  always  naughty,  Sister  Perpetua  says  so,— 
but  I  am  not  in  penance." 

"  Who  gave  you  permission  to  come  into  our  Chapel  ?  You 
know  it  is  contrary  to  the  rules.  Did  you  ask  Mother?" 

"  I  knew  she  would  say  no,  so  I  did  not  ask,  because  I  was 
determined  to  come." 

11  Why  ?  what  is  the  matter  ?  you  have  been  crying." 

"  Oh  Sister  Angela  ! — don't  you  see  ?  " 

She  lifted  the  corners  of  her  apron  where  the  dead  pets  lay 
and  her  chin  trembled. 

"Another  rabbit  gone  !     How  many  have  you,  left  ?  " 

"  None.  And  this  is  my  last  white  dove  ;  the  other  two 
have  colored  rings  around  their  necks." 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  you  dear,  you  seem  so  fond  of  them. 
But  my  child  why  did  you  come  here  ?  " 

"My  Bunny  was  not  dead  when  I  started,  and  I  thought  if 
I  could  only  get  to  St.  Francis  and  show  it  to  him,  he  would 
cure  it,  and  send  life  back  to  my  pigeon  too.  You  know 
Sister,  that  Father  told  us  last  week  at  instruction  we  must 
find  out  all  about  St.  Francis,  and  next  day  Armantine  was 
Refectory  Reader,  and  she  read  us  about  St.  Francis  preaching 
to  the  birds  at  Bevagno,  and  how  they  opened  their  beaks 
and  listened,  and  even  let  him  touch  them,  and  never  stirred 


INFELICE.  43 

till  he  blessed  them  and  made  the  sign  'of  the  cross,  and  then 
they  all  flew  away.  She  read  all  about  the  doves  at  the  con 
vent  of  Ravacciano, — and  the  nest  of  larks,  and  the  bad  greedy 
little  lark  that  St.  Francis  ordered  to  die,  and  said  nothing 
should  eat  it, — and  sure  enough,  even  the  hungry  cats  ran 
away  from  it.  Don't  you  remember  that  when  St.  Francis 
went  walking  about  the  fields,  the  rabbits  jumped  into  his 
bosom,  because  he  loved  them  so  very  much  ?  You  see  I 
thought  it  was  really  all  true,  and  that  St.  Francis  could  save 
mine  too,  and  I  carried  "  Bunnie  "  and  "  Snowball  "  to  him — 
out  yonder,  and  laid  them  on  his  feet,  and  prayed,  and  prayed 
ever  so  long, — and  while  I  was  praying,  my  "  Bunnie  "  died 
right  there.  Then  I  knew  he  could  do  no  good,  and  I  thought 
I  would  try  our  Blessed  Lady  over  here,  because  the  Nun's 
Chapel  seems  holier  than  ours, — but  it  is  no  use.  I  will  never 
pray  to  her  again,  nor  to  St.  Francis  either." 

"  Hush  !  you  wicked  child  !  " 

•  Regina  rose  slowly  from  the  pavement,  gathered  up  her 
apron  very  tenderly,  and  looking  steadily  into  the  sweet  serene 
face  of  the  nun,  said  with  much  emphasis  : 

"What  have  I  done  ?     Sister  Angela  I  am  not  wicked." 

"  Yes  dear  you  are.  We  are  all  born  full  of  sin,  and  desper 
ately  wicked  ;  but  if  you  will  only  pray  and  try  to  be  good,  I 
have  no  doubt  St.  Francis  will  send  you  some  rabbits  and 
doves  so  lovely,  that  they  will  comfort  you  for  those  you  have 
lost." 

"  I  know  just  as  well  as  you  do  that  he  has  no  idea  of 
doing  anything  of  the  kind,  and  you  need  not  tell  me  pretty 
tales  that  you  don't  believe  yourself.  Sister  it  is  all  humbug  : 
'Bunnie'  is  dead,  and  I  shan't  waste  another  prayer  on  St. 
Francis  !  If  ever  I  get  another  rabbit,  it  will  be  when  I  buy 
one, — as  I  mean  to  do  just  as  soon  as  I  move  to  some  nice 
place  where  owls  and  hawks  never  come." 

Here  the  clang  of  a  bell  startled  Sister  Angela,  who  seized 
the  child's  hand. 

"  Five  strokes  ' — that  is  my  bell.     Come   Regina,  we  have 


44  INFELICE. 

been  hunting  you  for  some  time,  and  Mother  will  be  out  of 
patience." 

''Won't  you  please  let  me  bury  Bunnie  and  Snowball,  before 
I  go  upstairs  to  penance  ?  I  can  dig  a  grave  in  the  corner 
of  my  little  garden  and  plant  verbena  and  cypress  vine  over 
it." 

She  shivered  as  if  the  thought  had  chilled  her  heart,  and  her 
voice  trembled,  while  she  pressed  the  stiffened  forms  to  her 
breast. 

"  Come  along,  as  fast  as  you  can  dear,  you  are  wanted  in  the 
parlor.  I  believe  you  are  going  away." 

"  Oh  !   has  my  mother  come  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  but  I  am  afraid  you  will  leave  us." 

"  Will  you  be  sorry,  Sister  Angela  ?  " 

"  Very  sorry,  dear  child,  for  we  love  our  little  girl  too  well, 
to  give  her  up  willingly." 

Regina  paused  and  pressed  her  lips  to  the  cold  white  fingers 
that  clasped  hers,  but  Sister  Angela  hurried  her  on,  till  she 
reached  a  door  opening  into  the  Mother's  reception  room. 
Catching  the  child  to  her  heart,  she  kissed  her  twice,  lifted  the 
dead  darlings  from  her  apron,  and  pushing  her  gently  into  the 
small  parlor,  closed  the  door. 

It  was  a  cool  lofty  dimly  lighted  room,  where  the  glare  of 
sunshine  never  entered,  and  several  seconds  elapsed  before 
Regina  could  distinguish  any  object.  At  one  end,  a  wooden 
lattice  work  enclosed  a  space  about  ten  feet  square,  and  here 
Mother  Aloysius  held  audience  with  visitors  whom  friendship 
or  business  brought  to  the  Convent.  Regina' s  eager  survey 
showed  her  only  a  gentleman,  sitting  close  to  the  grating,  and 
an  expression  of  keen  disappointment  swept  over  her  counte 
nance,  which  had  been  a  moment  before — eloquent  with  ex 
pectation  of  meeting  her  mother. 

"  Come  here  Regina,  and  speak  to  Mr.  Palma,"  said  the 
soft,  velvet  voice  behind  the  lattice. 

The  visitor  turned  around,  rose,  and  watched  the  slowly 
advancing  figure 


INFELICE.  45 

She  was  dressed  in  blue  muslin,  the  front  of  which  was  con 
cealed  by  her  white  bib-apron,  and  her  abundant  glossy  hair 
was  brushed  straight  back  from  her  brow,  confined  at  the  top 
of  her  head  by  a  blue  ribbon,  and  thence  fell  in  shining  waves 
below  her  waist.  One  hand  hung  listlessly  at  her  side,  the 
other  clasped  the  drooping  lily  and  held  it  against  her  heart. 

The  slightly  curious  expression  of  the  stranger,  gave  place 
to  astonishment  and  involuntary  admiration  as  he  critically 
inspected  the  face  and  form  ; — and  fixing  her  clear  earnest 
eyes  on  him,  Regina  saw  a  tall  commanding  man  of  certainly 
not  less  than  thirty  years,  with  a  noble  massive  head,  calm  pale 
features  almost  stern  when  in  repose,  and  remarkably  brilliant 
piercing  black  eyes,  that  were  doubtless  somewhat  magnified  by 
the  delicate  steel  rimmed  spectacles  he  habitually  wore.  His 
closely  cut  hair  clustered  in  short  thick  waves  about  his  promi 
nent  forehead,  which  in  pallid  smoothness  resembled  a  slab  of 
marble,  and  where  a  slight  depression  usually  marks  the  temples, 
his  swelled  boldly  out,  rounding  the  entire  outline  of  the 
splendidly  developed  brow.  He  wore  neither  moustache  nor 
beard,  and  every  line  of  his  handsome  mouth  and  finely  mod 
elled  chin,  indicated  the  unbending  tenacity  of  purpose,  and 
imperial  pride  which  had  made  him  a  ruler  even  in  his  cradle, 
and  almost  a  dictator  in  later  years. 

In  a  certain  diminished  degree,  children  share  the  instinct 
whereby  brutes  discern  almost  infallibly  the  nature  of  those, 
who  in  full  fruition  of  expanded  reason  tower  above  and  control 
them ;  and  awed  by  something  which  she  read  in  this  dominative 
new  face,  Regina  stood  irresolute  in  front  of  him,  unwilling  to 
accept  the  shapely  white  hand  held  out  to  her. 

He  advanced  a  step,  and  took  her  fingers  into  his  soft  warm 
palm. 

"  I  hope  Miss  Regina  that  you  are  glad  to  see  me." 

Her  eyes  fell  from  his  countenance  to  the  broad  seal  ring  on 
his  little  finger, — then  gazing  steadily  up  into  his,  she  said  : 

"  I  think  I  never  saw  you  before,— and  why  should  I  be  glad  ? 
Why  did  you  come,  and  ask  for  me  ?  " 


46  INFELICE. 

11  Because  your  mother  sent  me  to  look  after  you." 

"  Then  I  suppose  Sir,  you  are  very  good  ;  but  I  would  rather 
see  my  mother.  Is  she  well  ?  "  i 

"  Almost  well  now,  though  she  has  been  quite  ill.  If  you 
promise  to  be  very  goo'd  and  obedient,  I  may  find  a  letter  for 
you,  somewhere  in  my  pockets.  I  have  just  been  telling 
Mother  Aloysius,  to  whom  I  brought  a  letter,  that  I  have  came 
to  remove  you  from  her  kind  sheltering  care,  as  your  mother 
wishes  you  for  a  while  at  least,  to  be  placed  in  a  different  po 
sition,  and  I  have  promised  to  carry  out  her  instructions.  Here 
is  her  letter.  Shall  I  read  it  to  you,  or  are  you  sufficiently  ad 
vanced  to  be  able  to  spell  it  out,  without  my  assistance  ?  " 

He  held  up  the  letter,  and  she  looked  at  him  proudly,  with  a 
faint  curl  in  her  dainty  lip,  and  a  sudden  lifting  of  her  lovely 
arched  eyebrows,  which  without  the  aid  of  verbal  protest,  he 
fully  comprehended.  A  smile  hovered  about  his  mouth,  and 
disclosed  a  set  of  glittering  perfect  teeth,  but  he  silently  re 
sumed  his  seat.  As  Regina  broke  the  seal,  Mother  said  : 

"Wait  dear,  and  read  it  later.  Mr.  Palma  has  already  been 
detained  sometime,  and  says  he  is  anxious  to  catch  the  train. 
Run  up  to  the  wardrobe,  and  Sister  Helena  will  change  your 
dress.  She  is  packing  your  clothes." 

When  the  door  closed  behind  her,  a  heavy  sigh  floated 
through  the  grating,  and  the  sweet  seraphic  face  of  the  nun 
clouded. 

"  I  wish  we  could  keep  her  always  ;  it  is  a  sadly  solemn  thing 
to  cast  such  a  child  as  she  is,  into  the  world's  whirlpool  of  sin 
and  sorrow.  To-day  she  is  as  spotless  in  soul  as  one  of  our 
consecrated  annunciation  lilies, — but  the  dust  of  vanity  and  self 
ishness  will  tarnish, — and  the  shock  of  adversity  will  bruise, — 
and  the  heat  of  the  battle  of  life,  that  rages  so  fiercely  in  the 
glare  of  the  outside  world,  will  wither  and  deface  the  sweet 
blossom  we  have  nurtured  so  carefully." 

"In  view  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  that  surround  her, 
her  removal  impresses  me  as  singularly  injudicious,  and  I  have 
advised  against  it,  but  her  mother  is  inflexible." 


IN  FELICE.  47 

"We  have  never  been  able  to  unravel  the  mystery  that  seems 
to  hang  about  the  child,  although  the  Bishop  assured  us  we 
were  quite  right  in  consenting  to  assume  the  charge  of  her." 

From  beneath  her  heavy  black  hood,  Mother's  meek  shy 
eyes  searched  the  non-committal  countenance  before  her,  and 
found  it  about  as  satisfactorily  responsive  as  some  stone  sphinx 
half-sepulchred  in  Egyptic  sand. 

"  May  I  ask  Sir,  if  you  are  at  all  related  to  Regina?" 

"  Not  even  remotely  ;  am  merely  her  mother's  legal  counsel 
lor,  and  the  agent  appointed  by  her  to  transfer  the  child  to 
different  guardianship.  I  repeat,  I  deem  the  change  inex 
pedient,  but  discretionary  powers  have  not  been  conferred  on 
me.  She  seems  rather  a  mature  bit  of  royalty  for  ten  years  of 
age.  Is  the  intellectual  machinery  at  all  in  consonance  with 
the  refined  perfection  of  the  external  physique  ?  " 

"  She  has  a  fine  active  brain,  clear  and  quick,  and  is  very 
well  advanced  in  her  studies,  for  she  is  fond  of  her  books. 
Better  than  all,  her  heart  is  noble  and  generous,  and  she  is  a 
conscientious  little  thing,  never  told  a  story  in  her  life, — but 
at  times  we  have  had  great  difficulty  in  controlling  her  will, 
which  certainly  is  the  most  obstinate  I  have  ever  encountered." 

"  She  evidently  does  not  suggest  wax, — save  in  the  texture  of 
her  fine  skin,  and  one  rarely  finds  in  a  child's  face, — so  much  of 
steel, — as  is  ambushed  in  the  creases  of  the  rose  leaves  that 
serve  her  as  lips.  If  her  will  matches- her  mother's,  this  little 
one  certainly  was  not  afflicted  with  a  misnomer  at  her  baptism." 

He  rose,  looked  at  his  watch,  and  walked  across  the  room, 
as  if  to  inspect  a  Pieta  that  hung  upon  the  wall.  Unwilling  to 
conclude  an  interview  which  had  yielded  her  no  information, 
Mother  Aloysius  patiently  awaited  the  result  of  the  examina 
tion,  but  he  finally  went  to  the  window,  and  a  certain  unmis 
takable  expression  of  countenance  which  can  be  compared 
only  to  a  locking  of  mouth  and  eyes, — warned  her  that  he  was 
alert  and  inflexible.  With  a  smothered  sigh  she  left  her  seat. 

"  As   you   seem   impatient   Mr.  Palma,  I  will  endeavor  to 
hasten  the  preparations  for  your  departure." 


48  INF E  LICE, 

"If  you  please  Mother  ;  I  shall  feel  indebted  to  your  kind 
consideration." 

Nearly  an  hour  elapsed,  ere  she  returned  leading  Regina, 
and  as  the  latter  stood  between  Mother  and  Sister  Angela,  with 
a  cluster  of  fresh  fragrant  lilies  in  her  hand,  and  her  tender 
face  blanched  and  tearful,  it  seemed  to  the  lawyer  as  if  indeed 
the  pet  ewe  lamb  were  being  led  away  from  peaceful  flowery 
pastures,  from  the  sweet  sanctity  of  the  cloistral  fold, — out 
through  thorny  devious  paths  where  Temptations  prowl  wolf- 
fanged, — or  into  fierce  conflicts  that  end  in  the  social  sham 
bles, — those  bloodless  abattoirs  where  malice  mangles  humanity. 
How  many  verdure-veiled,  rose-garlanded  pitfalls  yawned  in 
that  treacherous  future,  now  stretching  before  her  like  summer 
air,  here  all  gold*  and  blue, — yonder  with  purple  glory  crowning 
the  dim  far  away?  Intuitively  she  recognized  the  fact  that 
she  was  confronting  the  first  cross  roads  in  her  hitherto  mon 
otonous  life,  and  a  vague  dread  flitted  like  ill-omened  birds 
before  her,  darkening  her  vision. 

In  the  gladiatorial  arena  of  the  Court  room,  Mr.  Palma 
was  regarded  as  a  large-brained,  nimble-witted,  marble-hearted 
man,  of  vast  ambition  and  tireless  energy  in  the  acquisition  of 
his  aims  ;  but  his  colleagues  and  clients  would  as  soon  have 
sought  chivalric  tenderness  in  a  bronze  statue,  or  a  polished 
obelisk  of  porphyry.  To-day  as  he  curiously  watched  the 
quivering  yet  proud  little  girlish  face,  her  brave  struggles  to 
meet  the  emergency  touched  some  chord  far  down  in  his  reticent 
stern  nature,  and  he  suddenly  stooped,  and  took  her  hand, 
folding  it  up  securely  in  his. 

"Are  you  not  quite  willing  to  trust  yourself  with  me  ?" 

She  hesitated  a  moment,  then  said  with  a  slight  wavering  in 
her  low  tone  : 

"  I  have  been  very  happy  here,  and  I  love  the  sisters  dearly, 
but  you  are  my  mother's  friend,  and  whatever  she  wishes  me  to 
do,  of  course  must  be  right." 

Oh  beautiful  instinctive  faith  in  maternal  love  and  maternal 
wisdom !  Wot  ye  the  moulding  power  ye  wield,  ye  Mothers  of 
America  ? 


INFELICE.  49 

Pressing  her  fingers  gently  as  if  to  reassure  her,  he  said  : 

'*  I  dislike  to  hurry  you  away  from  these  kind  Sisters,  but  if 
your  baggage  is  ready  we  have  no  time  to  spare." 

The  Nuns  wept  silently  as  she  embraced  them  for  the  last 
time,  kissed  them  on  both  cheeks,  then  turned  and  suffered 
Mr.  Palrna  to  lead  her  to  the  carriage,  whither  her  trunk  had 
already  been  sent. 

Leaning  out,  she  watched  the  receding  outlines  of  the  Con 
vent  until  a  bend  of  the  road  concealed  even  the  belfry,  and 
then  she  stooped  and  kissed  the  drooping  lilies  in  her  lap. 

Her  companion  expected  a  burst  of  tears,  but  she  sat  erect 
and  quiet,  and  not  a  word  was  uttered  until  they  reached  the 
Railway  Station  and  entered  the  cars.  Securing  a  double  seat 
he  placed  her  at  the  window,  and  sat  down  opposite.  It  was 
her  introduction  to  Railway  travel,  and  when  the  train  moved 
off,  and  the  locomotive  sounded  its  prolonged  shriek  of  de 
parture,  Regina  started  up,  but  as  if  ashamed  of  her  timidity, 
colored  and  bit  her  lip.  Observing  that  she  appeared  interested 
in  watching  the  country  through  which  they  sped,  Mr.  Palma 
drew  a  book  from  his  valise,  and  soon  became  so  absorbed  in  the 
contents,  that  he  forgot  the  silent  figure  on  the  seat  before  him. 

The  afternoon  wore  away,  the  sun  went  down,  and  when 
the  lamps  were  lighted,  the  lawyer  suddenly  remembered  his 
charge. 

"  Well  Regina  how  do  you  like  travelling  on  the  cars?" 

"  Not  at  all ; — it  makes  my  head  ache." 
"  Take  off  your  hat,  and  I  will  try  to  make  you  more  com 
fortable." 

He  untied  a  shawl  secured  to  the  outside  of  his  valise,  placed 
it  on  the  arm  of  the  seat,  and  made  her  lay  her  head  upon  it. 

Keeping  his  finger  as  a  mark  amid  the  leaves  of  his  book,  he 
said  : 

"  We  shall  not  reach   our  journey's  end   until   to-morrow 
mornwig,  and    I    advise   you    to    sleep   as   much   as   possible. 
Whenever  you  feel  hungry  you  will  find  some  sandwiches,  cake, 
and  fruit,  in  the  basket  at  your  feet." 
3 


50  IN  FELICE. 

She  looked  at  him  intently,  and  interpreting  the  expression, 
he  added : 

"  You  wish  to  ask  me  something  ?  Am  I  so  very  frightful 
that  you  dare  not  question  me  ?  " 

"  Will  you  tell  me  the  truth,  if  I  ask  you  ?  " 

"  Most  assuredly." 

"  Mr.  Palma,  when  shall  I  see  my  mother  ?  " 

His  eyes  went  down  helplessly  before  the  girl's  steady  gaze, 
and  he  hesitated  a  moment. 

"  Really,  I  cannot  tell  exactly, — but  I  hope — " 

She  put  up  her  small  hand  quickly,  with  a  gesture  that  silenced 
him. 

"  Don't  say  any  more,  please.  I  never  want  to  know  half  of 
anything,  and  you  can't  tell  me  all.  Good  night,  Mr.  Palma." 

She  shut  her  eyes. 

This  man  of  bronze  who  could  terrify  witnesses,  torture  and 
overwhelm  the  opposition,  and  thunder  so  successfully  from  the 
legal  rostrum,  sat  there  abashed  by  the  child's  tone  and  man 
ner,  and  as  he  watched  her,  he  could  not  avoid  smiling  at  her 
imperious  mandate.  Although  silent,  it  was  one  o'clock  before 
she  fell  into  a  deep,  sound  slumber,  and  then  the  lawyer 
leaned  forward  and  studied  the  dreamer. 

The  light  from  the  lamp  shone  upon  her,  and  the  long  silky 
black  lashes  lay  heavily  on  her  white  cheeks.  Now  and  then  a 
sigh  passed  her  lips,  and  once  a  dry  sob  shook  her  frame,  as  if 
she  were  again  passing  through  the  painful  ordeal  of  parting ; 
but  gradually  the  traces  of  emotion  disappeared,  and  that  mar 
vellous  peace  which  we  find  only  in  children's  countenances,  or 
on  the  faces  of  the  dead, — and  which  is  nowhere  more  perfect 
than  in  old  Greek  statuary, — settled  like  a  benediction  over 
her  features.  Her  frail  hands  clasped  over  her  breast,  still 
held  the  faded  lilies,  and  to  Erie  Palma  she  seemed  too  tender 
and  fair  for  rude  contact  with  the  selfish  world,  in  which  he 
was  so  indefatigably  carving  out  fame  and  fortune.  He  won 
dered  how  long  a  time  would  be  requisite  to  transform  this  pure, 
spotless,  ingenuoas  young  thing  into  one  of  the  fine  fashionable 


INF E  LICE.  5 1 

miniature  women  with  frizzed  hair  and  huge  J>aniers,  whom  he 
often  met  in  the  city, — with  school-books  in  their  hands,  and 
bold,  full-blown  coquetry  in  their  eyes  ? 

Certainly  he  was  as  devoid  of  all  romantic  weakness,  as  the 
propositions  of  Euclid,  or  the  pages  of  Blackstone,  but  some 
thing  in  the  beauty  and  helpless  innocence  of  the  sleeper  ap 
pealed  with  unwonted  power  to  his  dormant  sympathy,  and 
suspecting  that  lurking  spectres  crouched  in  her  future,  he 
mutely  entered  into  a  compact  with  his  own  soul,  not  to  lose 
sight  of, — but  to  befriend  her  faithfully,  whenever  circumstances 
demanded  succor. 

"  Upon  my  word, — she  looks  like  a  piece  of  Greek  sculpture, 
and  be  her  father  whom  he  may, — there  is  no  better  blood  than 
beats  there  at  her  little  dimpled  wrists.  The  pencilling  of  the 
eyebrows  is  simply  perfect." 

He  spoke  inaudibly,  and  just  then  she  stirred  and  turned. 
As  she  moved,  something  white  fluttered  from  one  of  the  ruffled 
pockets  of  her  apron,  and  fell  to  the  floor.  He  picked  it  up 
and  saw  it  was  the  letter,  he  had  given  her  some  hours  before. 
The  sheet  was  folded  loosely,  and  glancing  at  it,  as  it  opened 
in  his  hand,  he  saw  in  delicate  characters  :  "  Oh  my  baby, — my 
darling  !  Be  patient  and  trust  your  Mother."  An  irresistible 
impulse  made  him  look  up,  and  the  beautiful  solemn  eyes  of 
the  girl  were  fixed  upon  him, — but  instantly  her  black  lashes 
covered  them. 

For  the  first  time  in  years,  he  felt  the  flush  of  shame  mount 
into  his  cold  haughty  face,  yet  even  then,  he  noted  the  refined 
delicacy  which  made  her  feign  sleep. 

"  Regina." 

She  made  no  movement. 

<:  Child  I  know  you  are  awake.  Do  you  suppose  I  would 
stoop  to  read  your  letter  clandestinely?  It  dropped  from  your 
pocket,  and  I  have  seen  only  one  line." 

She  put  out  her  slender  hand,  took  the  letter  and  answered  : 

"  My  Mother  writes  me  that  you  are  her  best  friend,  and  I 
intend  to  believe  that  all  you  say  is  true." 


52  INF  ELI  CE 

"  Do  you  think  I  read  your  letter  ?  " 
"  I  shall  think  no  more  about  it." 

"  I  will  paint  her  as  I  see  her, 
Ten  times  have  the  lilies  blown 
Since  she  looked  upon  the  sun, 
Face  and  figure  of  a  child,  — 
Though  too  calm,  you  think,  and  tender, 
For  the  childhood  you  would  lend  her." 


CHAPTER    IV. 

JNDEED  Peyton,  you  distress  me.  What  can  be  the 
matter?  I  heard  you  walking  the  floor  of  your  room 
long  after  midnight,  and  feared  you  were  ill." 

"Not  ill,  Elise,  but  sorely  perplexed.  If  I  felt  at  liberty 
to  communicate  all  the  circumstances  to  you,  doubtless  you 
would  readily  comprehend  and  sympathize  with  the  peculiar 
difficulties  that  surround  me ;  but  unfortunately  I  am  bound  by 
a  promise  which  prevents  me  from  placing  all  the  facts  in  your 
possession.  Occasionally  ministers  involuntarily  become  the 
custodians  of  family  secrets,  that  oppress  their  hearts  and  bur 
den  them  with  unwelcome  responsibility,  and  just  now  I  am 
suffering  from  the  consequences  of  a  rash  promise  which  com 
passion  extorted  from  me  years  ago.  While  I  heartily  regret 
it,  my  conscience  will  not  permit  me  to  fail  in  its  fulfilment." 

An  expression  of  pain,  and  wounded  pride  overshadowed 
Mrs.  Lindsay's  usually  bright  happy  face. 

"  Peyton  surely  you  do  not  share  the  unjust  opinion  so 
fashionable  now-a-day,  that  women  are  unworthy  of  being  in 
trusted  with  a  secret?  What  has  so  suddenly  imbued  you 
with  distrust  of  the  sister  who  has  always  shared  your  cares, 
and  endeavored  to  divide  your  sorrows  ?  Do  you  believe  me 
capable  of  betraying  your  confidence  ? 

"  No  dear.     In  all  that  concerns  myself,  you  must  know  I 


INFELICE.  5j 

trust  you  implicitly, — trust  not  only  your  affection,  but  your 
womanly  discretion,  your  subtle  critical  judgment;  but  I  have 
no  right  to  commit  even  to  your  careful  guardianship  some  facts, 
which  were  expressly  confided  solely  to  my  own." 

He  laid  his  hand  on  his  sister's  shoulder,  and  looked  fondly, 
almost  pleadingly  into  her  clouded  countenance,  but  the  flush 
deepened  on  her  fair  cheek. 

"  The  conditions  of  secrecy,  the  envelope  of  mystery  strongly 
implies  something  socially  disgraceful,  or  radically  wicked,  and 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  should  not  constitute  themselves  the 
locked  reservoirs  of  such  turbid  streams." 

"  Granting  that  you  actually  believe  in  your  own  supposition, 
why  are  you  so  anxious  to  pollute  your  ears  with  the  recital  of 
circumstances  that  you  assume  to  be  degrading,  or  sinful  ?  " 

"  I  only  fear  your  misplaced  sympathy  may  induce  you  to 
compromise  your  ministerial  dignity  and  consistency,  for  it  is 
quite  evident  to  me,  that  your  judgment  does  not  now  acquit 
you  in  this  matter — whatever  it  may  be." 

u  God  forbid  that  in  obeying  the  dictates  of  my  conscience,  I 
should  transgress  even  conventional  propriety,  or  incur  the 
charge  of  indiscretion.  None  can  realize  more  keenly  than  I, 
that  a  minister's  character  is  of  the  same  delicate  magnolia-leaf 
texture  as  a  woman's  name, — a  thing  so  easily  stained  that  it 
must  be  ever  elevated  beyond  the  cleaving  dust  of  suspicion, 
and  the  scorching  breath  of  gossiping  conjecture.  The  time 
has  passed,  (did  it  ever  really  exist  ?)  when  the  prestige  of  pas 
toral  office  hedged  it  around  with  impervious  infallibility,  and 
to-day,  instead  of  partial  and  extenuating  leniency,  pure  and 
un contaminated  society  justly  denies  all  ministerial  immunities 
as  regards  the  rigid  mandates  of  social  decorum  and  propriety, — 
and  the  world  demands  that  instead  of  drawing  heavily  upon  an 
indefinite  fund  of  charitable  confidence  and  trust  in  the  clergy, 
— pulpit-people  should  so  live  and  move  that  the  microscope 
of  public  scrutiny  can  reveal  no  flaws.  Do  you  imagine  I  share 
the  dangerous  heresy  that  the  sanctity  of  the  office  entitles  the 
incumbent  to  make  a  football  of  the  restrictions  of  prudence 


54  INFELICE. 

and  discretion  ?  Elise  I  hold  that  pastors  should  be  as  circum 
spect,  as  guarded  as  Roman  vestals ;  and  untainted  society 
guided  by  even  the  average  standard  of  propriety,  tolerates  no 
latitudinarians  among  its  Levites.  I  grieve  that  it  is  necessary 
for  me  to  add,  that  I  honor,  and  bow  in  obedience  to  its  exac 
tions." 

The  chilling  severity  of  his  tone  smote  like  a  flail  the  loving 
heart,  which  had  rebelled  only  against  the  apparent  lack  of  faith 
in  its  owner,  and  springing  forward  Mrs.  Lindsay  threw  her 
arms  around  her  brother's  neck. 

"  Oh  Peyton  !  don't  look  at  me  so  sternly,  as  if  I  were  a  sort 
of  domestic  Caiaphas  set  to  catechise  and  condemn  you ;  or  as 
if  I  were  unjustly  impugning  your  motives.  It  is  all  your  fault, 
— of  course  it  is, — for  you  have  spoiled  me  by  unreserved  con 
fidence  heretofore, — and  you  ought  not  to  blame  me  in  the  least 
for  feeling  hurt,  when  at  this  late  day  you  indulge  in  mysteries. 
Now  kiss  me,  and  forget  my  ugly  temper, — and  set  it  all  down 
to  that  Pandora  legacy  of  sleepless  curiosity,  which  dear  mother 
Eve  received  in  her  imprudent  tete-a-tete  with  the  serpent,  and 
which  she  spitefully  saw  fit  to  bequeath  to  every  daughter  who 
has  succeeded  her.  So — we  are  at  peace  once  more  ?  Now 
keep  your  horrid  secrets  to  yourself,  and  welcome  !  " 

"  You  persist  in  believing  that  they  must  inevitably  be  hor 
rid  ?"  said  he,  softly  stroking  her  rosy  cheek,  with  his  open 
palm. 

"  I  persist  in  begging  that  you  will  not  expect  me  to  adopt 
the  acrobatic  style,  or  require  me  to  instantly  attain  sanctifica- 
tion  per  saltum  !  You  must  be  satisfied  with  the  assurance 
that  you  are  indeed  my  '  Royal  Highness,'  and  that  in  my 
creed  it  is  written  the  king  can  do  no  wrong.  There  dear, — I 
am  not  at  all  addicted  to  humble  pie,  and  I  have  already  dis 
posed  of  a  large  and  unpalatable  slice." 

She  made  a  grimace,  whereat  he  smiled,  kissed  her  again, 
and  answered  very  gently  : 

"Will  you  permit  me  to  put  an  appendix  to  your  creed  ? 
'  Charity  suflfereth  long,  and  is  kind  ;  is  not  easily  provoked, 


1XFELICE. 


55 


thinketh  no  evil.'  My  sister  I  want  you  to  help  me.  In  some 
things  I  find  myself  as  powerless  without  your  cooperation,  as 
a  pair  of  scissors  with  the  rivet  lost ;  I  cannot  cut  through  ob 
stacles,  unless  you  are  in  your  proper  place." 

"  For  shame — you  spiteful  Pequod  !  to  rivet  your  treacher 
ous  appeal  with  so  sharply  pointed  an  illustration !  Scissors 
indeed !  I  will  be  revenged  by  cutting  all  your  work  after  a 
biased  fashion.  How  would  it  suit  you  Reverend  Sir,  to  take 
the  rivet  out  of  my  tongue,  and  repair  your  clerical  scissors  ?  " 

"How  narrowly  you  escaped  being  a  genius?  That  is  pre 
cisely  what  I  was  about  proposing  to  do,  and  now  dear,  be  sure 
you  bid  adieu  to  all  bias.  Elise  I  received  a  letter  two  days 
since,  which  annoyed  me  beyond  expression." 

"I  inferred  as  much,  from  the  vindictive  energy  with  which 
you  thrust  it  into  the  fire,  and  bored  it  with  the  end  of  the  poker. 
Was  it  infected  with  small-pox  or  leprosy  ?  " 

She  opened  her  work  basket,  and  began  to  crochet  vigor 
ously,  keeping  her  eyes  upon  her  needle. 

"  Neither.  I  destroyed  it  simply  and  solely  because  it  was 
the  earnest  request  of  the  writer,  that  I  should  commit  it  to  the 
flames." 

"  Par  parenthese  !  from  the  beginning  of  time,  have  not  dis 
cord,  mischief,  trouble — been  personified  by  females  ?  Has 
there  been  a  serious  imbroglio  since  the  days  of  Troy,  without 
some  vexatious  Helen  ?  Now  don't  scold  me,  if  in  this  case  I 
conjecture,  he?  She?  It?" 

"  The  letter  was  from  a  mother,  pleading  for  her  child,  whom 
I  several  years  ago  promised  to  protect  and  to  befriend.  Sub 
sequent  events  induced  me  to  hope  that  she  would  never  exact 
a  fulfilment  of  the  pledge,  and  I  was  unpleasantly  surprised 
when  the  appeal  reached  me." 

"  Let  me  understand  fully  the  little  that  you  wish  to  tell  me. 
Do  you  mean  that  you  were  unprepared  for  the  demand,  be 
cause  the  mother  had  forfeited  the  conditions  under  which  you 
gave  the  promise  ?  " 

"You  unduly  intensify  the  interpretation.      My  promise  was 


5  6  INF E  LICE. 

unconditional,  but  I  certainly  have  never  expected  to  be  called 
upon  to  verify  it." 

"  What  does  it  involve  ?  " 

"  The  temporary  guardianship  of  a  child  ten  years  old,  whom 
I  have  never  seen." 

"He?     She?     It?" 

"  A  girl,  who  will  in  all  probability  arrive  before  noon  to 
day." 

"Peyton!" 

The  rose-colored  crochet  web  fell  into  her  lap,  and  deep 
dissatisfaction  spread  its  sombre  leaden  banners  over  her  tell 
tale  face. 

"  I  regret  it  more  keenly  than  you  possibly  can,  and  Elise, 
if  I  could  have  seen  the  mother  before  it  was  too  late,  I  should 
have  declined  this  painful  responsibility." 

"  Too  late  ?     Is  the  woman  dead  ?  " 

"  No,  but  she  has  sailed  for  Europe,  and  notifies  me  that 
she  leaves  the  little  girl  under  my  protection." 

"  What  a  heartless  creature  she  must  be,  to  abandon  her 
child." 

"  On  the  contrary,  she  seems  devotedly  attached  to  her,  and 
uses  these  words  :  '  If  it  were  not  to  promote  her  interest,  do 
you  suppose  I  could  consent  to  put  the  Atlantic  between  my 
baby  and  me  ? '  The  circumstances  are  so  unusual,  that  I 
daresay  you  fail  to  understand  my  exact  position." 

"  I  neither  desire  nor  intend  to  force  your  confidence,  but  if 
you  can  willingly  answer,  tell  me  whether  the  mother  is  in  every 
respect,  worthy  of  your  sympathy?" 

"  I  frankly  admit  that  upon  some  points, — I  have  been  dis 
satisfied,  and  her  letter  sorely  perplexes  me." 

"What  claim  had  she  on  you,  when  the  promise  was  ex 
torted?" 

"  She  had  none,  save  such  as  human  misery  always  has  on 
human  sympathy.  I  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  for  her 
when  she  was  a  mere  child,  and  felt  profound  compassion  for 
the  wretchedness  that  soon  overtook  he/'  as  a  wife  and  mother." 


INF  ELI  CE.  5  7 

"Then  my  dear  brother,  there  is  no  alternative  and  you  must 
do  your  duty, — and  I  shall  not  fail  to  help  you  to  the  fullest  ex 
tent  of  my  feeble  ability.  Since  it  can  not  be  averted,  let  us 
try  to  put  our  hearts  as  well  as  hands  into  the  work  of  receiv 
ing  the  waif.  Where  has  the  child  been  living  ?  " 

"  For  nearly  seven  years  in  a  Convent." 

"  Tant  mieux  !  We  may  at  least  safely  infer  she  has  been 
shielded  from  vicious  and  objectionable  companionship.  How 
is  her  education  to  be  conducted  in  future  ?  " 

"  Her  mother  has  arranged  for  the  semi-annual  payment  of  a 
sum  quite  sufficient  to  defray  all  necessary  expenses,  including 
tuition  at  school,  but  she  urges  me  if  compatible  with  my  cleri 
cal  duties,  to  retain  the  school-fees,  and  teach  the  child  at  home, 
as  she  dreads  outside  contaminating  associations,  and  wishes 
the  little  one  reared  with  rigid  ideas  of  rectitude  and  propriety. 
Will  you  receive  her  among  your  music  pupils  ?  " 

"  Have  I  a  heart  of  steel,  and  a  soul  of  flint  ?  And  since 
when,  did  you  successfully  trace  my  pedigree  to  its  amiable 
source  in — 

'Gorgons  and  hydras  and  chimeras  dire?' 

What  is  her  name  ?  " 

Mr.  Hargrove  hesitated  a  moment,  and  detecting  the  faint 
color  that  tinged  his  olive  cheek,  his  sister  smilingly  relieved 
him . 

"  Never  mind  dear.  What  immense  latitude  we  are  allowed  ? 
If  she  prove  a  meek  sweet  cherub,  a  very  saint  in  bib-aprons, — 
with  velvety  eyes  brown  as  a  hazel  nut,  and  silky  chestnut  ring 
lets, — I  shall  gather  her  into  my  heart  and  coo  over  her  as — 
Columba,  or  Umilta,  or  Umbeline,  or  Una  ; — but  should  we 
find  her  spoiled,  and  thoroughly  leavened  with  iniquity, — a 
blonde  yellow  haired  tornado, — then  a  proper  regard  for  the 
'  unities  '  will  suggest  that  I  vigorously  enter  a  Christian  protest 
and  lecture  her  grimly  as  Jezebel,  Tomyris, — Fulvia  or  Clytem- 
nestra." 

"  She  shall  be  called  Regina  Orme,  and  if  it  will  not  too 
3* 


58  IN  FELICE. 

heavily  tax  your  kindness,  I  should  like  to  give  her  the  small 
room  next  your  own,  and  ask  Douglass  to  move  across  the  hall 
and  take  the  front  chamber  opening  on  the  verandah.  The 
little  girl  may  be  timid,  and  it  would  comfort  her  to  feel  that 
you  are  within  call,  should  she  be  sick,  or  become  frightened. 
T  am  sure  Douglass  will  not  object  to  the  change." 

"  Certainly  not.  Blessings  on  his  royal  heart !  He  would 
not  be  my  own  noble  boy  if  he  failed  to  obey  any  wish  of  yours. 
I  will  at  once  superintend  the  transfer  of  his  books  and  clothes, 
for  if  the  child  comes  to  day,  you  have  left  me  little  time  for 
preparation. 

She  put  away  the  crochet  basket,  and  looking  affectionately 
at  the  grave  face  that  watched  her  movements,  said  soberly : 

"  Do  not  look  so  lugubrious  ;  remember  Abraham's  example 
of  hospitality,  and  let  us  do  all  we  can  for  this  motherless  lamb, 
or  kid, — which  ever  she  may  prove.  One  thing  more, — and 
hereafter  I  shall  hold  my  peace.  You  need  not  live  in  chronic 
dread,  lest  the  Guy  Fawks  of  female  curiosity  pry  into,  and  ex 
plode  your  mystery  ;  for  I  assure  you  Peyton,  I  shall  never 
directly  or  indirectly  question  the  child,  and  until  you  volun 
tarily  broach  the  subject,  I  shall  never  mention  it  to  you.  Are 
you  satisfied  ?  " 

"  Fully  satisfied  with  my  sister,  and  inexpressibly  grateful  for 
her  unquestioning  faith  in  me." 

She  swept  him  an  exaggerated  courtesy,  and  despite  the  gray 
threads  that  began  to  glint  in  her  auburn  hair,  ran  up  the  stair 
way  as  lightly  as  a  girl  of  fifteen. 

For  some  time  he  stood  with  his  hands  behind  him, — gazing 
abstractedly  through  the  open  window,  and  now  and  then,  he 
heard  the  busy  patter  of  hurrying  feet  in  the  room  over  head, 
while  snatches  of  Easter  Anthems,  and  the  swelling  "Amen" 
of  a  "Gloria"  rolled  down  the  steps,  assuring  him  that  all 
doubt  and  suspicion  had  been  ejected  from  the  faithful  fond 
sisterly  heart. 

Taking  his  broad  brimmed  gardening  hat  from  the  table,  the 
pastor  went  down  among  his  flower-beds,  followed  by  Biorn,  to 


INFELICE.  5£ 

whose  innate  asperity  of  temper,  was  added  the  snarling  fret- 
fulness  of  old  age. 

A  fine  young  \>rood  of  white  Brahma  chickens  having  surrep 
titiously  effected  an  entrance  into  the  sacred  precincts  of  the 
flower-garden,  were  now  diligently  prosecuting  their  experiments 
in  entomotomy,  right  in  the  heart  of  a  border  of  choice  carna 
tions.  When  Biorn  had  chased  the  marauders  to  the  confines 
of  the  poultry  yard,  and  watched  the  last  awkward  fledgling 
scramble  through  the  palings,  his  master  began  to  repair  the 
damage,  and  soon  became  absorbed  in  the  favorite  task  of  tying 
up  the  spicy  tufts  of  bloom,  that  deluged  the  air  with  perfume 
as  he  lifted  and  bent  the  slender  stems.  His  straw  hat  shut  out 
the  sight  of  surrounding  objects,  and  he  only  turned  his  head 
when  Mrs.  Lindsay  put  her  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Peyton — '  the  Philistines  be  upon  thee  '  !  " 

"  Do  you  mean  that  she  has  come  ?  " 

"  I  think  so  ;  there  is  a  carnage  at  the  gate,  and  I  noticed  a 
trunk  beside  the  driver." 

He  rose  hastily,  and  stood  irresolute,  visibly  embarrassed. 

"  Why  Peyton  !  Recollect  your  text  last  Sunday  :  '  no  man 
having  put  his  hand  to  the  plough,'  etc.,  etc.,  etc.  It  certainly 
is  rather  hard  to  be  pelted  with  one's  own  sermons,  but  it  would 
never  do  to  turn  your  back  upon  this  benevolent  furrow.  Come 
pluck  up  courage,  and  front  the  inevitable." 

"  Elise  how  can  you  jest?  I  am  sorely  burdened  with 
gloomy  forebodings  of  coming  ill.  You  cannot  imagine  how  1 
shrink  from  this  responsibility." 

"  It  is  rather  too  late  dear,  to  climb  upon  the  stool  of  repent 
ance.  Take  this  beast  of  Bashan  by  the  horns,  and  have  done 
with  it.  There  is  the  bell !  Shall  I  accompany  you  ?  " 

"  Oh  certainly." 

Hannah  met  them,  and  held  up  a  card. 
"  ERLE  PALMA, 

New  York  City." 


60  INFELICE. 

As  the  ministei  entered  his  parlor,  Mr.  Palma  advanced  tc 
meet  him,  holding  out  his  hand. 

u  I  hope  Dr.  Hargrove  has  been  prepared  for  my  visit,  and 
understands  its  object  ?  " 

"  I  am  glad  to  know  you  Sir,  and  had  reason  to  expect  you. 
Allow  me  to  present  Mr.  Palma  to  my  sister,  Mrs.  Lindsay.  I 
am  exceedingly " 

The  sentence  was  never  completed,  and  he  stood  with  his  eyes 
fastened  on  the  child  who  leaned  against  the  window,  watching 
him  with  an  eager  breathless  interest,  as  some  caged  creature 
eyes  a  new  keeper,  wondering,  mutely  questioning  whether 
cruelty  or  kindness  will  predominate  in  the  strange  custodian. 

For  a  moment,  oblivious  of  all  else,  each  gazed  into  the  eyes 
of  the  other,  and  a  subtle  magnetic  current  flashed  from  soul 
to  soul,  revealing  certain  arcana,  which  years  of  ordinary  ac 
quaintance  sometimes  fail  to  unveil.  From  the  pastor's  coun 
tenance  melted  every  trace  of  doubt  and  apprehension ;  from 
that  of  the  girl  all  shadow  of  distrust. 

Studying  the  tableau,  Mr.  Palma  saw  the  clergyman  smile, 
and  as  if  involuntarily  open  his  arms ;  and  he  was  astonished 
when  the  shy  reticent  child  who  had  repulsed  all  his  efforts  to 
become  acquainted,  suddenly  glided  forward,  and  into  the  out 
stretched  arms  of  her  new  guardian.  Weary  from  the  long  jour 
ney,  and  rigid  restraint  imposed  upon  her  feelings,  the  closely 
pent  emotion  broke  all  barriers,  and  clinging  to  the  minister, 
Regina  found  relief  in  a  flood  of  tears.  Mr.  Hargrove  sat 
down,  and  keeping  his  arm  around  her,  said  tenderly : 

"  Are  you  so  unwilling  to  come  and  live  under  my  care  ? 
Would  you  prefer  to  remain  with  Mr.  Palrna  ?  "  She  put  her 
hands  up,  and  clasping  them  at  the  back  of  his  head,  answered 
brokenly : 

"  No — no  !  it  is  not  that.  Your  face  shows  me  you  are 
good, — so  good  !  But  I  can't  help  crying, — I  have  tried  so 
hard  to  keep  from  it,  ever  since  I  kissed  the  Sisters  good-by, — 
and  everything  is  so  strange, —  and  my  throat  aches,  and 
aches, — oh  don't  scold  me  !  Please  let  me  cry  !  " 


INFELICE.  6j 

"As  much  as  you  please.  We  know  your  poor  little  heart 
is  almost  breaking,  and  a  good  cry  will  help  you." 

He  gathered  her  close  to  his  bosom,  and  the  lawyer  was 
amazed  at  the  confiding  manner  in  which  she  nestled  her  head 
against  the  stranger's  shoulder.  Mrs.  Lindsay  untied  and  re 
moved  the  hat  and  veil,  and  placing  a  glass  of  water  to  the 
parched  trembling  lips,  softly  kissed  her  tearful  cheek,  and 
whispered : 

"  Now  dear  try  to  compose  yourself.  Come  with  me  and 
bathe  your  face,  and  then  you  will  feel  better." 

"  Don't  take  me  away.  I  have  stopped  crying.  It  rests  me 
so, — to  feel  somebody's  arms  around  me." 

"Well — suppose  you  try  my  arms  awhile?  I  assure  you 
they  are  quite  ready  to  take  you  in,  and  hug  you  close.  Just 
let  me  show  you  how  I  put  my  arms  around  my  own  child, — 
though  he  is  a  man.  Come  dear." 

Mrs.  Lindsay  gently  disengaged  the  clasped  hands  resting  on 
her  brother's  neck,  and  drew  Regina  into  her  arms,  while  won 
by  her  sweet  voice  and  soft  touch,  the  latter  allowed  herself  to 
be  led  into  another  room. 

They  had  scarcely  disappeared  when  Mr.  Palma  said : 

"  I  find  I  was  mistaken  in  supposing  that  you  and  your 
ward  were  strangers." 

"  We  are  strangers,  at  least  I  never  saw  her  until  to-day." 

"  Did  you  mesmerize  her  ?  " 

"Not  that  I  am  aware  of.     What  suggests  such  an  idea?" 

"  She  receives  your  friendly  overtures  so  graciously,  and  re 
jected  mine  with  such  chill  politeness.  I  presume  you  are 
aware  of  the  fact  that  we  have  a  joint  guardianship  over  this 
child  ?  " 

"  If  you  will  walk  into  the  library,  where  we  can  escape  in 
trusion,  I  should  like  to  have  some  confidential  conversation 
with  you." 

When  he  had  placed  his  visitor  in  his  own  easy-chair,  and 
locked  the  door  of  the  library,  Mr.  Hargrove  sat  down  beside 
the  oval  table,  and  folding  his  hands  before  him,  leaned  forward 


62  INFELICE. 

scrutinizing  the  handsome  non-committal  face  of  the  stranger, 
and  conjecturing  how  far  he  would  be  warranted  in  unburden 
ing  his  own  oppressed  heart. 

Coolly  impassive,  and  without  a  vestige  of  curious  interest 
the  lawyer  quietly  met  his  incisive  gaze. 

"  Mr.  Palma  may  I  ask  whether  Regina's  mother  has  un 
reservedly  communicated  her  history  to  you  ?  " 

"  She  has  acquainted  me  with  only  a  few  facts,  concerning 
which  she  desired  legal  advice." 

"  Has  she  given  you  her  real  name?" 

"  I  know  her  only  as  Madame  Odille  Orphia  Orme,  an 
actress  of  very  remarkable  beauty,  and  great  talent." 

"  Do  you  understand  the  peculiar  circumstances  that  at 
tended  her  marriage  ?  " 

"  I  merely  possess  her  assurance  that  she  was  married  by 
you." 

"  Have  you  been  informed  who  is  Regina's  father?" 

"  The  name  has  always  been  carefully  suppressed,  but  she 
told  me  that  Orme  was  merely  an  aliasT 

"  Have  you  ever  suspected  the  truth  ?  " 

"  Really,  that  is  a  question  I  cannot  answer.  I  have  at 
times  conjectured,  but  only  in  a  random  unauthorized  way.  I 
should  very  much  like  to  know,  but  my  client  declined  giving 
me  all  the  facts,  at  least  at  present ;  and  while  her  extreme 
reticence  certainly  hampers  me,  it  prevents  me  from  asking 
you  for  the  information,  which  she  promises  ere  long  to  give  me." 

Mr.  Hargrove  bowed  and  leaned  back  more  easily  in  his 
chair,  fully  satisfied  concerning  the  nature  of  the  man  with 
whom  he  had  to  deal. 

"You  doubtless  think  it  singular  that  Mrs.  Orme  should 
commit  her  daughter  to  my  care,  while  keeping  me  in  ignorance 
of  her  parentage.  A  few  days  since,  she  signed  in  the  presence 
of  witnesses,  a  cautiously  worded  instrument,  in  which  she  des 
ignated  you  and  me  as  joint  guardians  of  Regina  Orme,  and 
specified  that  should  death  or  other  causes  prevent  you  from 
fulfilling  the  trust,  I  should  assume  exclusive  control  of  her 


IN  FELICE.  6± 

daughter,  until  she  attained  her  majority,  or  was  otherwise  dis 
posed  of.  To  this  arrangement  1  at  length  very  reluctantly 
assented,  because  it  is  a  charge  for  which  I  have  no  leisure, 
and  even  less  inclination ;  but  as  she  seems  to  anticipate  the 
time  when  a  lawsuit  may  be  inevitable,  and  wishes  my  services, 
she  finally  overruled  my  repugnance  to  the  office  forced  upon 
me." 

"  I  must  ask  you  one  question,  which  subsequent  statements 
will  explain.  Do  you  regard  her  in  all  respects  as  a  worthy 
true  good  woman  ?  " 

"  The  mystery  of  an  assumed  name  always  casts  a  shadow, 
implying  the  existence  of  facts,  or  of  reports  inimical  to  the 
party  thus  ambushed ;  and  concealment  presupposes  either 
indiscretion,  shame  or  crime.  This  circumstance  excited  un 
favorable  suspicions  in  my  mind,  but  she  assured  me  she  had 
a  certificate  of  her  marriage,  and  that  you  would  verify  this 
statement.  Can  you  do  so?  Was  she  legally  married,  when 
very  young?" 

"  She  was  legally  married  in  this  room,  eleven  years  ago." 

"  I  am  glad  it  is  susceptible  of  proof.  This  point  estab 
lished,  I  can  easily  answer  your  question  in  the  affirmative. 
As  far  as  I  am  acquainted  with  her  record,  Mrs.  Orme  is  a 
worthy  woman,  and  i  may  add,  a  remarkably  cautious  circum 
spect  person,  for  one  so  comparatively  unaccustomed  to  the 
admiration  which  is  now  lavished  upon  her.  I  believe  it  is 
conceded  that  she  is  the  most  beautiful  woman  in  New  York, 
but  she  shelters  herself  so  securely  in  the  constant  presence  of 
a  plain  but  most  respectable  old  couple,  with  whom  she  resides, 
and  who  accompany  her  when  travelling,  that  it  is  difficult  to  see 
her,  except  upon  the  stage.  Even  in  her  business  visits  to  my 
office,  she  has  always  been  attended  by  old  Mrs.  Waul." 

"  Can  you  explain  to  me,  how  one  so  uneducated  and  in 
experienced  as  she  certainly  was,  has  so  suddenly  attained  not 
only  celebrity,  (which  is  often  cheaply  earned,)  but  eminence 
in  a  profession,  involving  the  amount  of  culture,  requisite  for 
dramatic  success  ?  " 


64  INFELICE. 

A  slight  smile  showed  the  glittering  line  of  the  lawyers 
ieeth. 

"When  did  you  see  her  last?" 

"  Seven  years  ago." 

"Then  I  venture  the  assertion  that  you  would  not  recognize 
her,  should  you  see  her  in  one  of  her  favorite  and  famous 
roles.  When,  where,  or  by  whom  she  was  trained,  I  know 
not,  but  some  acquaintance  with  the  most  popular  ornaments 
of  her  profession  justifies  my  opinion  that  no  more  cultivated 
or  artistic  actress  now  walks  the  stage, — than  Mad'm  Odille 
Orme.  She  is  no  mere  amateur  or  novice,  but  told  me  she 
had  laboriously  and  studiously  struggled  up,  from  the  com 
paratively  menial  position  of  seamstress.  Even  in  Paris, 
1  have  never  heard  a  purer,  finer  rendition  of  a  passage  in 
Phedret  than  one  day  burst  from  her  lips,  in  a  moment  of  deep 
feeling,  yet  I  cannot  tell  you  how  or  where  she  learned 
French.  She  made  her  debut  in  tragedy,  somewhere  in  the  West, 
and  when  she  reappeared  in  New  York,  her  success  was  bril 
liant.  I  have  never  known  a  woman  whose  will  was  so  patient 
ly  rigid,  so  colossal, — whose  energy  was  so  tireless  in  the  pur 
suit  of  one  special  aim.  She  has  the  vigilance  and  tenacity  of 
a  Spanish  bloodhound." 

"  In  the  advancement  of  her  scheme,  do  you  believe  her 
capable  of  committing  a  theft  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  denominate  a  theft  ?  " 

The  piercing  black  eyes  of  the  lawyer  were  fixed  with  in 
creased  interest  upon  the  clergyman. 

"  Precisely  what  every  honest  man  means  by  the  term.  If 
Mrs.  Orme  resolved  to  possess  a  certain  paper,  to  which  she 
had  been  denied  access,  do  you  think  she  would  hesitate  to 
break  into  a  house,  open  a  secret  drawer  and  steal  the  con 
tents  ?  " 

"  Not  unless  she  had  a  legal  right  to  the  document,  which 
was  unjustly  withheld  from  her,  and  even  then,  my  knowledge 
of  the  lady's  character  inclines  me  to  believe  that  she  would 
hesitate,  and  resort  to  other  means." 


IN  FELICE.  65 

"  You  consider  her  strictly  honest  and  truthful  ?  " 

"I  am  possessed  of  no  facts  that  lead  me  to  indulge  a  con 
trary  opinion.  Suppose  you  state  the  case  ?  " 

Briefly  Mr.  Hargrove  narrated  the  circumstances  attending 
his  last  interview  with  Regina's  mother,  and  the  loss  of  the  tin 
box, — dwelling  in  conclusion  upon  the  perplexing  fact  that  in 
the  recent  letter  received  from  her  relative  to  her  daughter's 
removal  to  the  Parsonage,  Mrs.  Orme  had  implored  him  to 
carefully  preserve  the  license  he  had  retained,  as  the  marriage 
certificate  in  her  possession  might  not  be  considered  convinc 
ing  proof,  should  litigation  ensue.  He  could  not  understand 
the  policy  of  this  appeal,  nor  reconcile  its  necessity,  with  his 
conviction  that  she  had  stolen  the  license. 

Joining  his  scholarly  white  hands,  with  the  tips  of  his  fingers 
forming  a  cone,  Mr.  Palma  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  listen 
ed,  while  no  hint  of  surprise  or  incredulity  found  expression  in 
his  cold  imperturbable  face.  When  the  recital  wa.s  ended,  he 
merely  inclined  his  head. 

"  Do  you  not  regard  this  as  strong  evidence  against  her  ? 
Be  frank,  Mr.  Palma." 

"  It  is  merely  circumstantial.  Write  to  Mrs.  Orme,  inform 
her  of  the  loss  of  the  license,  and  I  think  you  will  find  that  she 
is  as  innocent  of  the  theft,  as  you  or  I.  I  know  she  went  to 
Europe  believing  that  the  final  proof  of  her  marriage  was  in 
your  keeping  ;  for  in  the  event  of  her  death,  while  abroad, — 
she  has  empowered  me  to  demand  that  paper  from  you,  and  to 
present  it  with  certain  others, — in  a  court  of  justice." 

"  I  wish  I  could  see  it  as  you  do.  I  hope  it  will  some  day 
be  satisfactorily  cleared  up,  but  meanwhile  I  must  indulge  a 
doubt.  On  one  point  at  least,  my  mind  is  at  rest ; — this  little 
girl  is  unquestionably  the  child  of  the  man  who  married  her 
mother,  for  I  have  never  seen  so  remarkable  a  likeness,  as  she 
bears  to  him." 

He  sighed  heavily,  and  patted  the  shaggy  head  which  Biorn 
had  some  time  before  laid  unheeded  on  his  knee. 

During  the  brief  silence  that  ensued,  the  lawyer  gazed  out  of 


66  INFELICE. 

the  window,  through  which  floated  the  spicy  messages  of  carna 
tions,  and  the  fainter  whispers  of  pale  cream-hearted  Noisette 
roses  ;  then  he  rose  and  put  both  hands  in  his  pockets. 

"  Dr.  Hargrove  you  and  I  have  been, — with  I  believe  equal 
reluctance, — forced  into  the  same  boat, — and  since  bongre 
malgre  we  must  voyage  for  a  time  together,  in  the  interest  of 
this  unfortunate  child, — candor  becomes  us  both.  Men  of  my 
profession  sometimes  resort  to  agencies,  that  the  members  of 
yours  usually  shrink  from.  I  too,  was  once  very  sceptical  con 
cerning  the  truth  of  Mrs.  Orme's  fragmentary  story,  for  it  was 
the  merest  disjecta  membra  which  she  entrusted  to  me,  and  my 
credulity  declined  to  honor  her  heavy  drafts.  To  satisfy  my 
self,  I  employed  a  shrewd  female  detective  to  '  shadow '  the 
pretty  actress  for  nearly  a  year,  and  her  reports  convinced  me 
that  my  client  while  struggling  with  Napoleonic  ambition  and 
pertinacity  to  attain  the  zenith  of  success  in  her  profession, — 
was  as  little  addicted  to  coquetry,  as  the  statue  of  Washington  in 
Union  Square,  or  the  steeple  of  Trinity  Church  ;  and  that  in  the 
midst  of  flattery  and  adulation  she  was  the  same  proud,  cold, 
suffering,  almost  broken-hearted  wife  she  had  always  appeared 
in  her  conferences  with  me.  Indulging  this  belief,  I  have  ac 
cepted  the  joint  guardianship  of  her  daughter,  on  condition 
that  whenever  it  becomes  necessary  to  receive  her  under  my 
immediate  protection,  I  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  her  real 
name." 

"  Thank  you  my  dear  Sir,  for  your  frankness,  which  I  would 
most  joyfully  reciprocate,  were  I  not  bound  by  a  promise  to  make 
no  revelations  until  she  gives  me  permission,  or  her  death  un 
seals  my  lips.  I  hope  you  fully  comprehend  my  awkward 
position.  There  is  a  conspiracy  to  defraud  her  and  her  child 
of  their  social  and  legal  rights,  and  I  fear  both  will  be  victim 
ized  ;  but  she  insists  that  secrecy  will  deliver  her  from  the 
snares  of  her  enemies.  I  suppose  you  are  aware  that 
General " 

He  paused,  and  bit  his  lip,  and  again  the  lawyer's  handsome 
mouth  disclosed  his  perfect  teeth. 


IXFELICE.  6  •} 

11  There  is  no  mischief  in  your  dropped  stitch ;  I  shall  not 
pick  it  up.  I  know  that  Mrs.  Orme's  husband  is  in  Europe, 
and  I  was  assured  that  motives  of  a  personal  character  induced 
her  to  make  certain  professional  engagements  in  England,  and 
upon  the  Continent.  I  am  not  enthusiastic,  and  rarely  venture 
prophecies,  but  I  shall  be  much  disappointed  if  her  Richelieu 
tactics  do  not  finally  triumph." 

"  Can  you  tell  me  why  she  does  not  openly  bring  suit  against 
her  husband  for  bigamy  ?  " 

"  Simply  because  she  has  been  informed  that  the  policy  of  the 
defence  would  be  to  at  once  attack  her  reputation,  which  she 
seems  to  guard  with  almost  morbid  sensitiveness,  on  account  of 
her  daughter.  She  has  been  warned  of  the  dangerous  conse 
quences  of  a  suit,  but  if  forced  to  extremities  will  hazard  it, — 
hence  I  bide  my  time." 

He  threw  back  his  lordly  head,  and  his  brilliant  eyes  seemed 
to  dilate,  as  though  the  suggestion  of  the  suit  stirred  his  pulse, 
as  the  breath  of  carnage  and  the  din  of  distant  battle  that  of  the 
war-horse,  panting  for  the  onward  dash. 

A  species  of  human  petrel, — a  juridic  Procellaria  Pclagica 
whose  habitat  was  the  Court-house, — Erie  Palma  lived  amid  the 
ceaseless  surges  of  litigation,  watching  the  signs  of  rising  tem 
pests  in  human  hearts, — plunging  in  defiant  exultation  where 
the  billows  rode  highest, — never  so  elated  as  when  borne 
triumphantly  upon  the  towering  crest  of  some  conquering  wave 
of  legal  finesse ,  or  impassioned  invective, — and  rarely  saddened 
in  the  flush  of  victory,  by  the  pale  spectres  of  strangled  hope, 
fortune,  or  reputation  which  -float  in  the  debris  of  the  wrecks 
that  almost  every  day  drift  mournfully  away  from  the  precincts 
of  Courts  of  Justice. 

The  striking  of  the  clock  caused  him  to  draw  out  his  watch, 
and  compare  the  time. 

"  I    believe    the  regular  train  does  not  leave  V until 

night,  but  the  Conductor  told  me  I  might  catch  an  Excursion 
train  bound  South,  and  due  here  about  half-past  one  o'clock. 
It  is  necessary  for  me  to  return  with  as  little  delay  as  pos- 


6S  IN  FELICE. 

sible,  and  after  I  have  spoken  to  Regina,  I  must  hasten  to  the 
Depot.  You  will  find  my  address  pencilled  on  the  card,  and  I 
presume  Mrs.  Orme  has  given  you  hers.  Should  you  desire  to 
confer  with  me  at  any  time  relative  to  the  child,  I  shall 
promptly  respond  to  your  letters, — but  have  no  leisure  to  spend 
in  looking  after  her.  The  semi-annual  remittance  shall  not  be 
neglected,  and  Regina  has  a  package  for  you,  containing  money 
for  contingent  expenses." 

They  entered  the  hall,  and  found  the  little  stranger  sitting 
alone  on  the  lowest  step  of  the  stairway,  where  Mrs.  Lindsay 
had  left  her,  while  she  went  to  prepare  luncheon  for  the  travel 
lers.  She  was  very  quiet, — bore  no  visible  traces  of  tears,  but 
the  tender  lips  wore  a  piteously  sad  expression  of  heroically 
repressed  grief, — and  the  purplish  shadows  under  her  solemn 
blue  eyes  rendered  them  more  than  ever — pleadingly  beautiful. 

As  the  two  gentlemen  stood  before  her  she  rose,  and  caught 
her  breath,  pressing  one  little  palm  over  her  heart,  while  the 
other  grasped  the  balustrade. 

';  Don't  you  think  dear,  that  you  ought  to  be  well  cared  for, 
when  you  have  two  guardians, — two  adopted  fathers, — Mr. 
Palma  and  I  to  watch  over  you  ?  We  both  intend  that  you 
shall  be  the  happiest  little  girl  in  the  State.  Will  you  help 
us?" 

"  I  will  try  to  be  good." 

Her  voice  was  very  low,  but  steady,  as  if  she  realized  she 
was  making  a  compact. 

"  Then  I  know  we  shall  all  succeed." 

Mr.  Hargrove  walked  to  the  front  door,  and  the  lawyer  put 
on  his  hat  and  came  back  to  the  steps. 

"  Regina  I  have  explained  to  you  that  I  brought  you  here, 
because  your  mother  so  directed  me,  and  I  believe  Dr.  Hargrove 
will  be  a  kind  good  friend.  Little  one,  I  do  not  like  to  leave 
you  so  soon,  among  strangers, — but  it  cannot  be  helped.  Will 
you  be  contented  and  happy  ?  " 

There  was  singular  emphasis  in  her  reply. 

"  i  shall  never  complain  to  you, — Mr.  Palma." 


IN  FELICE.  69 

"  Because  you  think  I  would  not  sympathize  with  you  ?  I 
am  not  a  man  given  to  soft  words,  nor  am  I  accustomed  to 
deal  with  children,  but  indeed  I  should  be  annoyed  if  I  thought 
you  were  unhappy  here." 

"  Then  you  must  not  be  annoyed  at  all." 

His  quick  nervous  laugh  seemed  to  startle  her  unpleasantly, 
for  she  shrank  closer  to  the  balustrade. 

"  How  partial  you  are, — preferring  Dr.  Hargrove  already,  and 
flying  into  his  arms  at  sight !  Do  you  wish  to  make  me 
jealous?  " 

His  eyes  gleamed  mischievously,  and  he  saw  the  blood  ris 
ing  in  her  white  cheeks. 

"  Dr.  Hargrove  opened  his  arms  to  me,  because  he  saw  how 
miserable  I  was." 

"  If  I  should  chance  to  open  mine,  do  you  think  that  by 
any  accident  you  would  rush  into  them  ?  " 

"  You  know  you  would  never  have  dreamed  of  doing  such  a 
thing.  Are  you  going  away  now  ?  " 

"  In  a  moment.  If  you  get  into  trouble,  or  need  anything, 
will  you  write  to  me  ?  Remember  I  am  your  mother's  friend." 

"  Is  not  Mr.  Hargrove  also  ?  " 

"  Certainly." 

He  took  her  hands,  and  bending  down  looked  kindly  into 
the  delicate  lovely  face. 

"  Good-by,  Regina." 

"  Good-by,  Mr.  Palma." 

"  I  hope  little  girl  that  we  shall  always  be  friends." 

"  You  are  very  good  to  wish  it.  Thank  you  for  taking  care 
of  me.  Because  you  are  my  mother's  best  friend,  I  shall  pray 
for  you  every  night." 

His  sternly  moulded  lips  twitched  with  some  strange  passing 
reminiscence  of  earlier  years,  but  the  emotion  vanished,  and 
pressing  her  hands  gently,  he  turned  and  went  down  the  walk 
leading  to  the  gate. 


70  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER    V. 

| LEASE  let  me  come  in,  and  help  you." 

Regina  knocked  timidly   at  the  door  of  the  par 
sonage  guest's  chamber,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  answered 
from  within  : 

"  Come  in  ?  Of  course  you  may,  but  what  help  do  you 
imagine  you  can  render, — you  useless  piece  of  prettiness  ?  Shall 
I  set  you  on  the  mantlepiece  between  the  china  kittens,  and 
the  glass  lambs, — right  under  the  sharp  nose  of  my  grand 
mother's  portrait,  where  her  great  solemn  eyes  will  keep  you 
in  order  ?  Whence  do  all  those  delectable  odors  come  ?  Are 
you  a  walking  sachet  ?  " 

She  was  kneeling  before  an  open  drawer  of  the  bureau,  me 
thodically  arranging  sundry  garments. — and  pausing  in  the  task, 
looked  over  her  shoulder  at  the  girl  who  stood  near,  holding 
her  hands  behind  her. 

"  I  am  sure  I  could  help  you,  if  I  were  only  allowed  to 
try.  I  am  quite  a  large  girl  now,  more  than  a  year  older 
than  when  I  came  here,  and  Hannah  has  taught  me  to  do 
ever  so  many  things.  She  says  I  will  be  a  famous  cook 
some  day.  You  didn't  know  that  I  made  up  the  Sally  Lunn 
for  tea  ?  " 

"  What  an  ambitious  bit  of  majesty  you  are  !  You  wish  to 
reign  in  the  kitchen,  rule  in  the  poultry  yard, — and  now  pre 
sume  to  invade  my  province — my  special  kingdom  of  making 
things  ready  for  the  Bishop  !  Have  you  been  anointing  your 
self  with  a  whole  vial  of  Lubin's  extract  of — Ah  ! — delicious — 
what  is  it  ?  " 

"  Whatever  it  may  be,  will  you  let  me  fix  it  to  suit  myself  on 
the  Bishop's  bureau  ?  " 

"  No — you  impertinent  wily  Delilah  in  short  clothes  !  I  never 
promise  in  the  dark  ;  show  it  to  me  first,  and  then  perhaps  I 


INFELICE.  7 1 

may  negotiate  with  you.  You  know  as  well  as  I  do,  that  the 
Bishop  dearly  loves  perfumes,  and  if  I  should  generously  con 
cede  you  the  privilege  of  presenting  "  sweet  smelling  savors  " 
unto  him, — you  might  some  day  depose  me, — and  I  wish  you 
distinctly  to  understand  that  I  intend  to  reign  over  him  as  long 
as  I  live  ; — not  an  inch  of  territory  shall  you  filch." 

Regina  held  up  her  hands,  displaying  in  one  several  feathery 
sprays  of  Belgian  honeysuckle, — with  half  of  its  petals  pearl, 
half  of  the  palest  pink ;  in  the  other  a  bunch  of  double  violets, 
of  the  rarest  shade  of  delicate  lilac,  so  unusual  in  the  floral  king 
dom. 

"You  should  be  called  '  Mab,'  and  ride  about  the  world  on 
a  butterfly,  or  a  streak  of  moonshine.  How  did  you  coax  or 
conjure  that  honeysuckle  into  blooming  before  its  appointed 
time?" 

"  Here  are  three  pieces,  two  for  the  Bishop,  and  one  for  you. 
May  I  fasten  it  in  your  hair  ?" 

"You  recite  a  lesson  in  history,  every  day,  don't  you  ?" 

"Yes  ma'am." 

"  Have  you  come  to  the  Salem-witches  yet  ?  " 

"  Not  yet.   What  has  my  history  to  do  with  this  honeysuckle  ?  " 

"  When  you  study  metaphysics  and  begin  the  chase  after  that 
psychological  fox — the-law-of-association-of-ideas, — you  will  un 
derstand.  Meanwhile,  thank  your  stars  dear  that  you  did  not 
live  in  Massachusetts  some  years  ago,  or  you  would  certainly 
have  gone  to  heaven  in  the  shape  of  smoke.  How  you  stare, 
— you  white  owl  !  As  if  you  thought  St.  Vitus  had  rented  my 
tongue  for  a  dancing  saloon.  It  is  all  because  the  Bishop  is 
coming.  My  blessed  Bishop  !  Yes — put  the  handsomest  spray 
in  my  hair,  and  then, — if  you  make  me  look  young,  and  very 
pretty,  you  may  do  as  you  like  with  the  others." 

Still  kneeling,  she  inclined  her  head,  while  Regina  twisted 
the  wreath  around  the  coil  of  neatly  braided  hair.  Then  kissing 
the  girl  lightly  on  her  cheek,  Mrs.  Lindsay  closed  the  drawer 
and  rose.  Drawing  a  silver  cup  from  her  pocket,  Regina  filled 
it  with  water,  placed  it  close  to  the  mirror,  and  proceeded  to 


72  INFELICE. 

arrange  the  violets  and  honeysuckle.  Stepping  back  to  inspect 
the  effect,  she  folded  her  hands  and  smiled. 

"  Mrs.  Lindsay  tell  him  I  gathered  them  for  him,  because  he 
was  so  kind  to  me  when  I  came  here  a  stranger,  and  I  wish  to 
thank  him.  When  he  is  at  home  it  seems  always  summer  time, 
don't  you  think  so  ?  " 

The  mother's  eyes  filled,  and  laying  a  hand  on  the  girl's  head, 
she  answered  : 

"  Yes  dear,  he  is  my  sunshine,  and  my  summer  time." 

"  How  long  will  he  stay  with  us  ?  " 

"  He  could  not  say  positively  when  his  last  letter  was  written, 
but  I  hope  to  keep  him  several  months.  You  know  it  is  possi 
ble  he  may  be  forced  to  go  to  England',  in  order  to  complete 
some  of  his  studies  before, — oh  Regina  !  Could  we  bear  to  have 
two  oceans  swelling  between  our  Bishop  and  us  ?  " 

"  Why  then,  will  you  let  him  go  ?  " 

"Can  I  help  it?" 

"You  are  his  mother, — and  he  would  never  disobey  you." 

"  But  he  is  a  man,  and  I  cannot  tie  him  to  my  apron  strings, 
as  I  do  my  bunch  of  keys.  I  must  not  stand  in  the  way,  and 
prevent  him  from  doing  his  duty." 

"  I  suppose  I  don't  yet  know  everything  about  such  matters, 
but  I  should  think  it  was  his  duty  first  to  please  you.  How 
devoted  he  is  to  '  duty '  ?  It  must  be  horrible  to  leave  all  one 
loves,  and  go  out  to  India,  among  the  heathens." 

"  Pray,  what  do  you  know  about  the  heathens  ?"  said  a  manly 
voice,  and  instantly  two  strong  arms  gathered  the  pair  in  a  cor 
dial  embrace. 

"  My  son  !  You  stole  a  march  upon  me !  O  Douglass, — 
I  never  was  half  so  glad  to  see  you, — as  now ! " 

"  If  you  do  not  stop  crying,  I  shall  feel  tempted  to  doubt 
you.  Tears  are  so  unusual  in  your  eyes,  that  I  shall  be  dis 
posed  to  regard  your  welcome  as  equivocal." 

He  kissed  her  on  cheek  and  lips,  and  added  : 

"  Regina  can't  you  contrive  to  say,  you  are  a  little  glad  to 
see  me  ?  " 


INF  ELI  CE.  7^ 

There  was  no  reply,  and  turning  to  look  for  her,  he  found 
she  had  vanished. 

"Queer  little  thing, — she  has  gone  without  a  word,  though 
she  insisted  on  dressing  her  silver  cup  with  those  flowers,  which 
she  thought  would  suggest  to  you  her  gratitude  for  your  numer 
ous  little  acts  of  kindness.  Have  you  seen  your  uncle  ?  " 

"  Yes  mother,  I  stopped  a  few  moments  at  the  church,  where 
he  is  engaged  with  one  of  the  committees.  Uncle  Peyton  is 
not  looking  well.  Has  he  been  sick  ?  " 

"  He  has  suffered  a  good  deal  with  his  throat,  since  you  left 
us,  and  now  and  then  I  notice  he  coughs.  He  is  overworked, 
and  now  that  you  can  fill  his  pulpit,  he  will  have  an  opportunity 
to  rest.  O  my  son !  In  every  respect  your  visit  is  a  blessing." 

Leaning  her  head  on  his  breast,  she  looked  up  with  proud 
and  almost  adoring  tenderness,  and  drawing  his  face  down  to 
hers  held  it  close,  kissing  him  with  that  intense  clinging  fervor, 
which  only  mother  love  kindles. 

<:  Does  my  little  mother  know  that  she  is  spoiling  her  boy  by 
inches  ; — making  a  nursery  darling,  instead  of  a  hardy  soldier 
of  him?  You  are  weaving  silken  bonds  to  fasten  me  more 
securely  here,  when  you  ought  rather  to  aid  me  in  snapping  the 
fetors  of  affection,  habit  and  association.  Come,  be  so  good 
as  to  brush  the  dust  out  of  my  hair,  while  you  tell  me  every 
thing  about  everybody,  which  you  have  failed  to  write,  during 
these  long  months  of  absence." 

For  some  time  they  talked  of  family  matters,  of  occurrences 

in  V ,  of  some  invidious  and  unkind  remarks,  some  caustic 

personal  criticisms  upon  the  Pastor's  household  affairs,  which 
had  emanated  from  Mrs.  Prudence  Potter,  a  widowed  member 
of  the  congregation,  who  had  once  rashly  dreamed  of  presiding 
over  the  clerical  hearth,  as  Mrs.  Peyton  Hargrove,  and  having 
failed  to  possess  her  kingdom,  had  become  a  merciless  spy 
upon  all  that  happened  in  the  forbidden  realm. 

"  Poor  Mrs.  Pru  !  what  a  warfare  exists  between  her  name 
and  her  character.     She  should  petition  the  legislature  to  allow 
her  to  be   called — Mrs.  f^chidna  !     My   son  I  think    modern 
4 


74  INFELICE. 

civilization  will  remain  incomplete,  will  not  perform  its  mission 
until  it  relieves  society  from  the  depredations  of  these  scor 
pions,  by  colonizing  them  where  they  will  expend  their  poison 
without  dangerous  results.  If  sting  they  must,  let  it  be  among 
themselves.  If  I  were  lunatic  enough  to  desire  to  vote,  1 
should  spend  my  franchise  in  favor  of  a  '  Gossip  Reservation ' 
— somewhere  close  to  the  great  Western  Desert, — to  which  the 
disappointed  widows,  spiteful  old  maids,  and  snarling  dyspeptic 
bachelors  of  this  much  suffering  generation  should  be  relegated 
for  domiciliation  and  reform.  Freedom  serves  America  much 
as  y'Esop's  stork  did  the  frogs  ; — we  are  appallingly  free  to  be 
devoured  by  envy,  stabbed  by  calumny,  strangled  by  slander. 
I  believe  if  I  were  a  painter,  and  desired  to  portray  Cleopatra's 
death,  I  would  assuredly  give  to  the  asp  the  baleful  features  and 
sneering  smirk  of  Mrs.  Prudence.  Every  Sunday  when  she 
twists  those  two  curls  on  her  forehead  till  they  lift  themselves 
like  horns, — puts  up  her  eye  glasses  and  pays  her  respects  to 
our  pew,  I  catch  myself  whispering  '  Cerastes  !  '  and  wishing 
that  I  were  only  the  camera  of  a  photographer." 

"  Take  care  Mother  !  would  you  accept  a  homestead  in  your 
contemplated  *  Reservation  '  ?  " 

She  pinched  his  ear. 

"  Donft  presume  Sir,  to  preach  to  me.  Really  I  often  won 
der  how  Peyton  can  force  himself  to  smile  and  parry  the  vine 
gar  cruets,  that  woman  throws  at  him,  in  the  shape  of  observa 
tions  upon  the  '  rapid  decline  of  evangelical  piety/  and  the 
'  sadly  backslidden  nature  '  of  the  clergy." 

"  Because  he  is  the  very  best  man  in  the  world,  and  faithfully 
practises  what  he  preaches, — Christian  Charity.  What  is  Mrs. 
Pru's  latest  grievance  ?  " 

"That  Peyton  does  not  admit  her  to  his  confidence,  and 
supply  her  with  all  the  particulars  of  Regina's  history  and 
family, — which  he  withholds  even  from  you  and  me,  and  about 
which — we  should  never  dream  of  catechizing  him.  In  a  better 
cause,  her  bold  effrontery  would  be  sublime.  Fortunately  she 
was  absent  in  Vermont,  for  some  months  after  the  child  came, 


INFELICE.  75 

and  curiosity  had  subsided  into  indifference,  until  she  returned, 
— when  lo  !  a  geyser  of  righteous  anxiety  and  suspicion  boiled 
up  in  the  congregation,  and  well  nigh  scalded  us.  What  do  you 
suppose  she  blandly  asked  me  one  day,  in  the  child's  presence  ? 
*  Were  not  Mr.  Hargrove's  friends  mistaken  in  believing  he  had 
never  married  ? '  Now  I  contend  that  the  law  of  the  land 
should  indict  for  just  such  cruel  and  wicked  innuendoes,  be 
cause  these  social  crimes  that  the  statutes  do  not  reach,  work 
almost  as  much  mischief  and  misery,  as  those  offences  against 
public  peace  which  the  laws  declare  penal.  I  confess  Mrs. 
Patter  is  my  bete-noire,  and  I  feel  as  no  doubt  Paul  did  when 
he  wrote  to  Timothy  :  ( Alexander  the  coppersmith  did  me 
much  evil ;  the  Lord  reward  him  according  to  his  works.  " 

"  Mother  what  reply  did  you  make  to  her  ?  I  can  imagine 
you  towering  like  Mrs.  Siddons." 

"  You  may  be  sure  I  unmasked  a  battery.  I  looked  straight 
into  her  little  faded  gray  eyes, — which  straggle  away  from  each 
other,  as  if  ashamed  of  their  mutual  ferret  experiences, — for  you 
know  one  looks  out  so,— and  one  turns  always  up, — and  I 
answered,  that  my  brother  had  been  exceedingly  fortunate,— 
as  notwithstanding  the  numerous  matrimonial  nets  adroitly 
spread  for  him,  he  had  escaped  like  the  Psalmist,  *  as  a  bird 
out  of  the  snare  of  the  fowlers,'  and  fled  for  safety  unto  the 
mountain  of  celibacy.  Bishop  if  the  new  school  of  science 
lack  the  link  that  binds  us  to  the  ophidian  type,  I  can  furnish 
a  thoroughly  'developed'  specimen  df  an 'evolved'  Melu- 
sina;  for  Mrs.  Pru's  ancestors  must  have  been  not  very 
remotely,  cobra-capellos.  Such  a  chronic  blister  as  she  is, 
keeps  up  more  inflammation  in  a  church,  than  all  the  theology  at 

Andover  can  cool.  As  for  general  society  here  in  V ,  she 

damages  it  more  than  all  the  three  hundred  foxes  of  Samson 
did  the  corn-fields,  vineyards  and  olives  of  the  Philistines. 
What  are  you  laughing  at  ?  " 

"The  ludicrous  dismay  that  will  seize  you,  when  the  con- 
stablery  of  your  progressive  civilization  notify  you  that  you 
must  emigrate  to  the  '  Gossip  and  Slander  Reservation.' 


76  INFELICR. 

Poor  Mr«.  Prudence  Potter !  from  my  earliest  recollection  she 
has  been  practising  archery  upon  the  target  of  her  neighbors 
characters,  and  she  seeks  social  martyrdom  as  diligently  as  Sir 
Galahad  hunted  the  Sangreal.  In  the  form  of  ostracism,  I 
think  she  is  certainly  reaping  her  reward.  Mother  let  her 
rest." 

"With  all  my  heart !  "tis  a  consummation  devoutly  to  be 
wished  ; ' — but  that  is  just  the  last  thing  she  proposes, — until  the 
muscles  of  her  tongue  and  eyes  are  paralyzed.  Rest  indeed  ! 
Did  you  ever  see  a  hyena  caged  in  a  menagerie  ?  Did  you 
ever  know  it  to  rest  for  an  instant  from  its  snarling,  snapping, 
grinning  round?  My  son,  I  would  not  for  my  right  hand  ma 
lign  or  injure  her,  but  how  can  I  sincerely  indulge  charitable 
reflections  concerning  a  person,  who  has  so  persistently  perse 
cuted  your  uncle  ?  " 

"  Then  dear  little  mother,  do  not  think  of  her  at  all.  Be  as 
sured  her  ill-natured  shafts  will  fall  as  blunt  and  harmless  upon 
the  noble  well-tried  armor  of  my  uncle's  Christian  character,  as 
a  bombardment  of  cambric  needles  against  the  fortress  of  Cron- 
stadt.  How  rapidly  Regina  has  grown,  since  she  came  among 
us  ?  Her  complexion  is  perfect.  Is  she  the  same  straightfor 
ward  guileless  child  I  left  her  ?  " 

"  Unchanged  except  in  the  rapid  expansion  of  her  mind, 
which  develops  surprisingly.  She  is  the  most  mature  child  I 
have  ever  met,  and  I  presume  it  is  attributable  to  the  fact  that 
she  has  never  been  thrown  with  children,  and  having  always 
associated  with  older  persons,  has  insensibly  imbibed  their  staid 
thoughts,  and  adopted  their  quiet  ways.  I  should  not  be  more 
astonished  to  see  my  prim  puritanical  grandmother  yonder  step 
down  from  the  frame,  and  turn  a  somersault  on  the  carpet,  or 
indulge  in  leap-frog,  than  to  find  Regina  guilty  of  any  boisterous 
hoidenish  behavior,  or  unrefined  undignified  language.  If  she 
had  been  born  on  the  'Mayflower,' — raised  on  Plymouth 
Rock,  and  fed  three  times  a  day  on  the  '  Blue  Laws '  of  Con 
necticut  she  could  not  possibly  have  proved  a  more  eminently 
'proper'  child.  Even  Hannah,  who  you  may  recollect, — was 


INFELICE.  7  7 

so  surly,  harsh  and  suspicious  when  she  first  came  here, — and 
who  really  has  as  little  cordiality  or  enthusiasm  in  her  nature — 
as  a  gridiron  or  a  rolling-pin, — seems  now  to  be  completely 
devoted  to  her ;  as  nearly  infatuated  as  one  of  her  flinty  tem 
perament  can  be, — and  who  conquers  old  Hannah's  heart  — 
you  will  admit — must  be  well  nigh  perfect." 

"  Does  my  uncle  continue  to  teach  her?" 

"Yes,  and  I  think  it  is  one  of  his  greatest  pleasures.  She 
is  ambitious  and  studious,  and  Peyton  is  never  too  weary  to 
explain  whatever  puzzles  her.  She  is  exceedingly  fond  of  him, 
and  he  said  last  week  that  she  was  his  '  Jabez  ; ' — he  had  re 
ceived  her  so  reluctantly,  and  she  proved  such  a  comfort  and 
blessing?" 

"  I  presume  her  mother  writes  to  her  occasionally  ?  " 

"  Regularly  every  fortnight  she  receives  a  letter.  Some 
times  for  days  after,  Regina  looks  perplexed  and  sorrowful,  but 
she  never  divulges  the  contents.  Once  about  two  months  ago, 
I  found  her  lying  on  the  rug  in  her  own  room,  with  her  face  in 
her  hands,  and  her  mother's  last  letter  beside  her.  I  asked  if 
she  had  received  any  bad  news,  for  I  knew  she  was  crying  in 
her  quiet  way,  and  she  looked  up,  and  said  in  a  tone  that  was 
really  piteous  :  '  There  is  nothing  new.  It  is  always  the  same 
old  thing  ; — she  does  not  know  yet  when  she  can  come,  and  I 
must  be  good  and  patient.  Oh  Mrs.  Lindsay  !  I  am  so  hungry 
to  see  my  mother !  When  I  look  at  her  picture,  I  feel  as  if  I 
would  be  willing  to  die  if  I  could  only  kiss  her, — and  hear  her  say 
once  more,  "  My  baby  !  My  darling ! "  Last  night  I  dreamed 
she  took  me  in  her  arms,  and  hugged  me  tight,  and  looked  at 
me  as  she  used  to  do  when  she  came  to  the  Convent, — and 
said — "Papa's  own  baby!  Papa's  poor  stray  lamb!"  Mrs. 
Lindsay  when  I  waked  I  had  the  pillow  in  my  arms,  and  was 
kissing  it."  Now  Douglass  it  is  a  great  mystery  how  a  mother 
could  voluntarily  separate  herself  from  such  a  child  as  Regina. 
I  asked  her  to  show  me  the  picture,  and  she  cried  a  good  deal 
and  said  :  *  I  have  often  wished  to  show  it  to  you,  but  she  says 
I  must  let  no  one  see  it.  Oh  !  she  is  so  beautiful  '  Loveliei 


78  TNFELICE. 

than  the  Madonnas  in  the  Chapels  •  only  she  always  has  .ears 
in  her  eyes.  I  never  saw  her  when  she  did  not  weep.  Mrs. 
Lindsay  help  me  to  be  good,  teach  me  to  be  smart  in  every 
thing, — that  I  may  be  some  comfort  to  my  mother.'  The  sad 
dest  feature  in  the  whole  affair  is,  that  Regina  begins  to  suspect 
there  is  some  discreditable  mystery  about  her  mother  and  her 
self  ;  but  Peyton  says  it  is  marvellous  how  delicately  she  treats  the 
subject.  She  came  home  one  day  from  Sunday-school  and  told 
him  that  Mrs.  Prudence  asked  her  in  the  presence  of  the  class, 
how  her  mother  could  afford  to  dress  her  in  such  costly  clothes ; 
— and  whether  she  had  ever  seen  her  father  ?  Peyton  wished  to 
know  what  reply  she  made,  and  she  said  her  answer  was  : 
1  Mrs.  Potter  if  I  were  you,  and  you  were  Regina  Orme,  I 
think  I  would  have  my  tongue  cut  out,  before  it  should  ask  you 
such  questions.'  Then  Peyton  told  me  she  looked  at  him  as 
if  she  were  reading  his  secret  soul,  and  added  :  '  It  is  hard  not 
to  understand  everything,  but  I  will  be  patient,  for  mother 
writes  that  some  day  I  shall  know  all;  and  no, matter  what 
people  say, — no  matter  how  strange  things  may  seem, — I  will 
believe  in  my  mother,  as  I  believe  in  God ! '  Most  girls  of 
her  age  would  be  curious  to  discover  what  is  concealed  from 
her,-  but  although  your  uncle  thinks  she  is  uncertain  whether 
her  father  be  living  or  dead, — she  carefully  shuns  all  reference 
to  the  subject.  There  is  the  door  bell  !  Hannah  will  let  some 
body  in,  before  I  can  fly  down  and  tell  her  to  excuse  me. 
How  stupid  of  people  not  to  know  that  my  Bishop  has  come  ! 
Oh  dear  !  it  is  Mrs.  Cartney, — and  she  has  come  for  the  aprons 
I  promised  to  make  for  the  Asylum  children, — and  they  have 
not  been  touched  !  Yes  Hannah,  I  am  coining.  Why  didn't 
you  say  I  was  engaged,  with  my  son  ?  " 

She  disappeared,  and  after  awhile  Douglass  Lindsay  went 
down  to  the  library,  and  thence  through  the  door  opening  upon 
two  steps  that  led  into  the  garden. 

It  was  one  of  those  rare  golden-aired  days  that  sometimes 
break  over  the  bleak  brows  of  brawling  March,  in  sunny  pro 
phecy  of  yet  distant  summer ;  windless  days,  when  rime  and 


INFEL1CE. 


79 


haze  are  equally  unknown,  and  tender  lingers  of  the  timid 
spring  lifting  the  shrouding  sod,  advance  tendril  and  leaf  and 
bud  as  heralds  of  the  annual  resurrection.  Double  daffodils 
stood  erect  and  conspicuous  like  commissioned  officers  along 
the  line  of  yellow  jonquils  that  bordered  the  walks,  and  snowy 
narcissus  and  purple  and  rose  hyacinths  made  a  fragrant  mosaic 
over  which  the  brown  bees  swung,  and  hummed  their  ceaseless 
hymn — laborare  est  orare.  Following  the  winding  walk  that 
led  to  the  palings  which  shut  out  the  poultry  realm,  the  young 
minister  leaned  against  the  gate,  overshadowed  by  a  tall  lilac, 
and  looked  across  at  the  feathered  folk,  of  which  from  boyhood 
he  had  been  particularly  fond. 

In  the  centre  of  the  enclosure  was  a  handsome  pigeon-house, 
circular  in  form,  and  easily  accessible  by  a  flight  of  steps,  while 
upon  the  top  of  a  cupola  that  sprung  from  the  roof,  was  built  a 
small  but  prettily  painted  martin's  home,  in  the  quaint  shape 
of  the  Ark, — as  we  find  it  in  Scriptural  illustrations.  Through 
out  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  Continent,  probably  no  other 
mere  amateur  fowl  fancier  possessed  such  a  collection  as  Mr. 
Hargrove  had  patiently  and  gradually  gathered  from  various 
sources.  The  peculiarity  consisted  in  the  whiteness  of  the 
fowls  ; — turkeys,  guineas,  geese,  ducks,  English  Pile,  Leghorn, 
Bramah  chickens  all  spotlessly  pure,  while  the  pigeons  resem 
bled  drifting  snow-flakes, — and  the  pheasants  gleamed  like  silver. 

Upon  one  of  the  steps  of  the  columbary  sat  Regina,  with  a 
basket  of  mixed  grain  by  her  side,  and  in  her  lap  a  pair  of 
white  rabbits  which  she  was  feeding  with  celery  and  cabbage 
leaves.  At  her  feet  stood  two  beautiful  Chinese  geese,  whose 
golden  bills  now  and  then  approached  the  edge  of  the  basket, 
or  encroached  upon  the  rabbits'  evening  meal.  The  girl  was 
bareheaded,  and  the  fading  sunshine  lingered  lovingly  upon 
the  glossy  hair,  and  delicate  lovely  face  which  had  lost  naught 
of  the  purity  that  characterized  it  eighteen  months  before,  while 
during  that  time  she  had  grown  much  taller,  and  gave  promise 
of  attaining  unusual  height  and  symmetry. 

The  dress  of  Marie-Louise  blue  merino,  was  relieved  at  the 


So  INFELICE. 

throat  by  a  neatly  crimped  ruffle,  and  as  in  days  of  yore,  she  wore 
the  white  apron  with  pretty  pockets,  and  ruffled  bands  passing 
over  her  shoulders  and  down  to  the  belt  behind,  where  broad 
strings  of  linen  were  looped  into  a  bow.  Her  abundant  hair 
was  plaited  in  two  long  thick  braids,  and  passed  twice  around 
her  head,  forming  a  jet  coronal,  and  imparting  a  peculiarly 
classic  contour. 

There  was  in  this  quiet  fowl-yard  scene,  something  so  innocent, 
so  peaceful,  that  it  was  inexpressibly  soothing  and  attractive 
to  the  man  who  stood  beneath  the  lilac  boughs, — jaded  with 
unremitting  study,  and  laden  with  wearying  schemes  of  future 
labor.  Douglass  Lindsay  was  only  twenty-five,  but  the  educa 
tion  and  habits  of  a  theological  student  had  stamped  a  degree 
of  gravity  on  his  handsome  face,  which  was  doubtless  enhanced 
by  a  slight,  yet  undeniable  baldness. 

Closely  resembling  his  mother,  except  in  the  brownness  of 
his  fine  eyes,  his  countenance  lacked  the  magnetic  warmth, 
and  merry  shifting  lights  that  rendered  hers  so  pleasant, — yet 
none  who  looked  earnestly  upon  it  could  doubt  for  an  instant 
that  he  would  prove  a  stanch,  faithful,  worthy  ensign  of  that 
Banner  of  Peace,  which  Jesus  unfurled  among  the  olive-girdled 
hills  of  holy  Judea. 

With  no  leprous  taint  of  bigotry  to  sully  his  soul,  blur  his 
vision,  or  cramp  his  sphere  of  action, — the  broad  stream  of 
Christian  chanty  flowed  from  his  noble  generous  heart,  sweep 
ing  away  obstacles  that  would  have  impeded  the  usefulness  of 
a  minister  less  catholic  in  sympathy, — more  hampered  by  creed 
ligaments,  and  denominational  fetters.  To  an  almost  womanly 
tenderness  and  susceptibility  regarding  the  sufferings  of  his 
fellow-creatures, — he  united  an  inflexible  adherence  to  the 
dictates  of  justice,  and  the  rigorous  promptings  of  con 
science  ; — and  while  devoutly  yielding  allegiance  solely  to  the 
Triune  God,  to  whose  service  he  had  reverently  dedicated  his 
young  life, — there  were  times  when  in  almost  ascetic  self-abne 
gation,  he  unconsciously  bowed  down  to  that  stern-lipped, 
stony  Teraph, — who  under  the  name  of  "  Duty," — sat  a  cowled 


INF  ELI  CE.  81 

and  shrouded  idol  in  the  secret  oratory  of  his  unselfish  heart 
Are  there  not  seasons,  when  even  the  most  orthodox  wonder 
whether  the  Dii  Involuti  passed  away  forever,  with  the  patera 
3X1&  fibultz  that  once  rendered  service  in  the  classic  shades  of 
Chusium  and  Montepulciana  ? 

Scholarly  in  tastes,  neither  Mr.  Lindsay's  habits  nor  inclina 
tion  led  him  often  into  the  flowery  mazes  of  fashionable  soci 
ety,  but  standing  upon  the  verge  of  Vanity  Fair,  he  had  looked 
curiously  down  at  the  feverish  whirl,  the  gilded  shams,  the  mad 
dening  murderous  conflict  for  place, — the  empty  mocking 
pageantry  of  the  victorious,  the  sickening  despair  and  savage 
irony  of  the  legions  of  the  defeated  ; — and  after  the  roar  and 
shout  and  moan  of  the  social  maelstrom,  as  presented  in 
the  great  city  where  his  studies  had  been  pursued,  it  was  pleas 
ant  this  afternoon  to  watch  the  fluttering  white  creatures  that 
surrounded  that  calm  beautiful  child, — and  to  listen  to  the  soft 
cooing  of.  the  innocent  lovers  in  the  dovecote  above  her. 

Opening  the  latticed  gate  he  walked  toward  the  group,  and 
lifting  the  basket,  sat  down  on  the  steps. 

"Why  did  you  not  wait,  and  invite  me  to  come  out  and  in 
spect  your  pretty  pets  ?" 

"  I  thought  your  mother  could  not  spare  you  this  first  after 
noon, — she  had  so  much  to  say  to  you  ;  but  I  am  very  glad 
you  have  not  quite  forgotten  us.  Do  you  see  how  tall  the 
China  geese  have  grown  ?  When  the  gander  stretches  his  neck 
he  can  touch  my  shoulder  with  his  bill.  Isn't  he  beautiful?" 

"  Decidedly  the  handsomest  gander  of  my  acquaintance. 
When  I  went  away  you  were  trying  to  find  a  name  for  him. 
Did  you  succeed?" 

"Yes,  I  call  him  Alcibiades." 

"Why?  Do  you  wish  to  insult  the  memory  of  the  great 
Athenian?" 

"  I  wish  to  compliment  him,  because  he  was  so  graceful  and 
beautiful,  and  was  so  fond  of  birds  he  carried  them  about  in  his 
bosom.  My  Alcibiades  is  so  good-natured  he  never  fights  or 
nisses  at  my  pigeons,  and  just  now  one  of  them  lighted  on  his 


82  INFELTCE. 

back,  and  picked  up  the  barley  that  had  fallen  on  his  feathers. 
Mr.  Hargrove  promises  me  that  just  as  soon  as  I  can  make 
money  enough  to  pay  the  brick -mason,  he  will  have  a  large 
cemented  basin  built  near  the  pump,  where  the  geese  and  ducks 
can  swim  about  every  day." 

"  How  do  you  propose  to  make  money?"  asked  Douglass, 
lifting  one  of  the  rabbits  into  his  lap,  and  offering  it  a  crisp 
morsel  of  celery. 

"  Don't  you  know  that  I  sell  the  eggs  ?  Those  of  the  white 
guineas  bring  three  dollars  a  dozen,  and  I  could  sell  more  of 
the  white  turkeys,  at  the  same  price,  than  we  can  spare.  Our  new 
Pigeon  Palace  was  paid  for  entirely  out  of  the  poultry  money." 

"Who  keeps  the  poultry  book?  Have  you  at  last  learned 
to  multiply  fractions?  " 

She  looked  up,  smiling  into  his  laughing  eyes. 

"  Mr.  Lindsay  I  am  not  so  stupid,  as  when  you  tried  so  hard 
to  explain  that  sum  to  me.  I  keep  the  account,  and  your  uncle 
examines  it  once  a  week.  He  says  it  will  teach  me  to  be  accu 
rate  in  my  figures. 

"What  did  you  pay  for  your  rabbits?  I  have  a  pair  of 
Angolas  for  you,  but  the  man  from  whom  I  bought  them,  ad 
vised  me  not  to  remove  them  until  all  danger  of  cold  weather 
had  passed,  as  they  are  quite  young." 

"  Thank  you  Mr.  Lindsay.  You  are  very  kind  to  remember 
that  I  wished  for  them  last  year.  I  did  not  buy  these " 

She  raised  the  rabbit  from  her  apron,  and  rubbed  her  cheek 
against  its  soft  fur,  then  added  in  a  lower,  and  touching  tone  : 

"  My  mother  sent  them  to  me.  I  can't  tell  how  she  found 
out  that  of  all  things,  I  wished  most  to  have  them,  but  you  know 
Sir  that  mothers  seem  inspired, — they  always  understand  what 
is  in  their  children's  hearts  and  minds,  and  need  no  telling. 
So  I  love  these  more  than  all  my  pets  ;  they  are  the  latest  mes 
sage  from  my  mother." 

She  held  out  her  hand,  and  interpreting  the  expression  in  her 
superb  eyes,  he  placed  the  other  rabbit  in  her  arms,  and  for  a, 
moment  she  pressed  them  close. 


TNFELTCR.  83 

"  I  must  shut  them  up  until  to-morrow,  or  the  owls  might 
make  a  supper  of  them,  as  happened  to  some  the  Sisters  kept  at 
the  Convent." 

She  opened  the  door  of  a  wired  apartment  beneath  the  pigeon 
house, — where  in  an  adjoining  division  the  pheasants  were 
settling  upon  their  perch, — and  carefully  deposited  the  bouncing 
furry  creatures  on  a  bed  of  wheat  straw. 

"Mr.  Lindsay  the  fowls  are  all  going  to  roost,  and  you  must 
wait  till  morning  to  see  the  squabs,  and  broods  of  Brahmas  and 
Leghorns.  They  look  like  snow-balls  rolling  about  after  their 
food." 

As  she  locked  up  the  grain,  and  balanced  the  key  on  her 
fingers,  her  companion  said  : 

"  I  must  persuade  Uncle  Peyton  to  get  some  black  Spanish, 
and  a  few  Poland  chickens." 

"  Oh  no  !  We  don't  want  any  black  things  ; — if  they  laid  a 
dozen  eggs  a  day,  they  could  not  come  here.  We  never  raise 
a  fowl  that  has  colored  feathers  ;  all  our  beauties  must  be  like 
snow." 

"I  see  you  have  converted  my  Uncle  to  your  pet  doctrine, 
and  before  long  I  suppose  you  will  persuade  him  to  sell  his 
pretty  bay,  and  buy  a  white  pony  ?  " 

"  No  Sir,  I  like  *  Sultan '  too  well  to  care  much  about  his 
color,  and  beside  Mr.  Hargrove  is  attached  to  him.  There  is 
one  thing  we  both  want  very  much  indeed, — and  that  is  a  white 
Ava  cow.  Your  uncle  read  me  a  description  of  those  cattle, 
last  week,  and  said  when  you  went  to  the  East  he  would  ask 
you  to  try  and  send  him  one." 

As  he  looked  .down  at  her  perfect  face, — then  at  one  of  the 
doves  that  had  perched  on  her  shoulder. — and  thought  of  treach 
erous  swart  Sepoys,  of  Bengal  tigers,  of  all  the  tangled  work  that 
lay  before  him  in  Hindoostan  jungles,  a  shadow  fell  over  the 
young  man's  brow,  and  a  dull  pain  seemed  to  tighten  the  valves 
of  his  heart.  Just  then,  his  appointed  lot  in  the  Master':;  vine 
yard  did  not  smile  as  alluringly  as  the  sunny  slopes  of  Eshcol  ; 
but  he  put  aside  the  contrast. 


8  4  INFELICE. 

"Regina  I  saw  Mr.  Palma  in  New  York." 

"  I  hope  he  is  well." 

"  He  certainly  looked  so.  Among  other  things,  he  asked  if 
the  art  of  writing  had  been  altogether  omitted  in  your  education. 
I  told  him  I  was  unacquainted  with  your  accomplishments  in 
that  line,  as  I  had  written  you  two  letters  which  remained  un 
answered." 

"  But  your  mother  thanked  you  for  them,  in  my  name." 

"  Which  was  very  sweet  and  good  in  my  dear  mother,  but 
questionably  courteous  in  you.  Mr.  Palma  sent  you  a  present." 

"  He  is  very  kind  indeed,  but  if  I  am  expected  to  write  and 
thank  him,  I  would  much  rather  not  receive  it." 

"  Do  you  dislike  him  ?  " 

"  How  could  I  dislike  my  mother's  best  friend?  I  daresay 
he  has  a  good  heart, — of  course  he  must  have  ; — but  whenever  I 
think  of  him  I  feel  a  queer  chill  creep  to  my  very  finger-tips,  as 
if  the  north  wind  blew  hard  upon  me, — or  an  iceberg  sailed  by." 

"  Guess  what  he  sent  you." 

"  A  copybook,  pen  and  ink  ?  " 

"  He  is  too  polished  a  gentleman  to  punish  you  so  severely 
Come  and  let  me  show  you  his  gift." 

He  led  the  way  to  the  gallery  at  the  rear  of  the  house,  and 
here  they  found  Mr.  Hargrove  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  admiring  a 
young  New  Foundland  dog,  which  was  chained  to  the  balusters. 

"  Look  Regina  !  it  is  a  waddling  snow-bank  !  So  round,  so 
soft  and  white  !  Did  he  come  from  Nova  Zembla,  or  Hanimer- 
fest, — or  directly  from  «  Greenland's  icy  mountains  '  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Palma  looked  all  over  New  York  and  Brooklyn  before 
he  found  a  pure  white  dog,  to  suit  him.  It  seems  he  knew 
Regina's  fondness  for  snowy  pets,  and  this  is  the  only  New 
Foundland  I  have  ever  seen,  who  had  not  even  a  dark  hair. 
Mr.  Palma  put  this  handsome  collar  and  chain  upon  him  and 
asked  me  to  bring  him  to  Regina.  He  will  be  very  large  when 
grown  ;  now  he  is  only  a  few  months  old." 

Regina  softly  patted  the  woolly  head,  and  her  eyes  glistened 
with  delight, 


INF  ELI  Ck.  g5 

"  How  did  Mi.  Palma  guess  that  1  wanted  a  dog  ?  " 

"  He  requested  me  to  suggest  something  that  would  please 
you,  and  I  told  him  that  all  at  the  Parsonage  were  grieving 
over  the  death  of  poor  old  Biorn.  He  immediately  decided  to 
send  you  a  dog,  and  this  is  a  noble  sagacious  creature." 

"What  is  his  name?" 

"  That  is  left  entirely  to  your  taste, — but  I  hope  you  will  not 
go  all  the  way  to  Greece  to  find  a  title,  as  you  did  for  your 
classic  gander." 

"Then  I  will  call  him  whatever  Mr.  Hargrove  likes  best." 

As  she  spoke  Regina  nestled  her  fingers  into  the  pastor's 
hand,  and  he  smiled  down  into  her  radiant  face. 

"  My  dear  child  exercise  your  own  preference.  Have  you 
no  choice  ?  " 

"None." 

"  Suppose  you  name  him  *  Erl-King '  in  compliment  to  Mr. 
Palma?" 

"  I  should  never  dare  to  call  him  that ;  it  would  seem  imper 
tinent.  He  is  such  a  splendid  dog,  I  should  like  a  fine,  un 
common,  grand  name  out  of  some  of  Mr.  Hargrove's  learned 
books." 

"  Oh  don't — Regina  !  It  will  be  positively  cruel  to  turn 
Peyton  loose  among  his  folios,  and  invite  him  to  afflict  that  in 
nocent  orphaned  brute  with  some  dreadful  seven-syllabled 
abomination,  which  he  will  convince  you  is  Arabic,  or  San 
scrit, — classic  or  mediaeval, — Gaelic,  Finnish  or  Norse, — but 
which  I  warn  you  will  serve  your  jaws, — (more  elegant  form — 
'  maxillary  bones,') — very  much  as  an  attack  of  mumps  would  ; — 
and  will  torture  the  victim  into  hydrophobia.  Be  pitiful, — and 
say — Teazer, — Tiger, — Towser, — but  don't  throw  the  sublime 
nomenclature  of  the  Classics  literally  to  the  dogs  !  " 

"  Now  mother,  I  protest  against  your  infringement  of  Uncle 
Peyton's  accorded  rights.  Be  quiet  please,  and  let  him  give 
Regina  a  few  historic  names,  from  which  she  can  select  one." 

Douglass  passed  his  arm  over  Mrs.  Lindsay's  shoulder,  and  both 
watched  the  eager  intent  face  which  the  girl  lifted  to  the  Pastor 


86  INF  ELI  CE. 

He  took  off  his  glasses,  wiped  them  with  the  end  of  his  coat, 
and  •  readjusting  them  on  his  nose,  addressed  himself  to  his 
ward. 

"There  is  an  East  Indian  tradition  that  a  divinely  appointed 
greyhound  guards  the  golden  herd  of  stars  and  sunbeams,  for 
the  Lord  of  Heaven  ;  and  collects  the  nourishing  rain-clouds 
as  the  celestial  cows,  to  the  milking  place.  That  greyhound 
was  called  Sarama.  Will  that  suit  you  ?  " 

She  shook  her  head. 

"  The  Greeks  tell  us  of  a  dog  which  was  kept  in  the  temple 
of  ^sculapius  at  Athens,  and  on  one  occasion  when  a  robber 
entered  and  stole  the  gold  and  silver  treasures  from  the  altar, 
the  dog  followed  him  for  days  and  nights,  until  the  thief  who 
could  neither  beat  him  away,  nor  persuade  him  to  eat  meat,  was 
captured  and  carried  back  to  Athens.  Now  dear,  this  was  a 
very  shrewd  and  courageous  animal,  and  his  name  was  Cap- 
parus." 

"  Why  did  not  his  owner  change  it  for  something  handsome, 
after  he  performed  such  service  ?  " 

Regina  spoke  dubiously,  and  looked  down  at  the  new  pet, 
who  wagged  his  plumy  tail  as  if  to  deprecate  the  punishment 
of  such  a  title. 

"  When  Pyrrhus  died,  his  favorite  and  devoted  dog  refused 
to  stir  from  the  body,  but  when  it  was  carried  out  of  the  house, 
he  leaped  upon  the  bier,  and  finally  sprang  into  the  funeral 
pile,  and  was  burned  alive  with  his  master's  remains.  This  ex 
ceedingly  faithful  creature  was  Astus." 

"  Mr.  Hargrove  are  all  the  classic  names  so  ugly  ?  " 

"I  am  afraid  the  little  girl's  ear  is  not  sufficiently  cultivated 
to  appreciate  them.  I  will  try  once  more.  The  Welsh  Prince 
Llewellyn  had  a  noble  deerhound,  whom  he  trusted  to  watch 
the  cradle  of  his  baby  boy,  while  he  himself  was  absent.  One 
day  returning  home,  he  found  the  cradle  upset  and  empty,  the 
clothes  and  the  dog's  mouth  dripping  with  blood.  Concluding 
that  the  hound  had  devoured  the  child,  the  father  drew  his 
sword  and  slew  the  dog,  but  a  moment  after,  the  cry  of  the 


TNFELICE.  87 

oabe  from  behind  the  cradle  showed  him  his  boy  was  alive. 
Looking  around,  the  prince  discovered  the  body  of  a  huge 
wolf,  which  had  entered  the  house  to  attack  and  devour  the 
child,  but  which  had  been  kept  off  and  killed  by  this  brave  dog, 
who  was  named  Gellert." 

Fearing  from  the  expression  of  the  girl's  eloquent  face,  that 
Wales  would  win  the  game,  Mrs.  Lindsay  exclaimed  with  an 
emphasis  that  made  the  dog  prick  up  his  ears  : 

"  Gwrdchy  Rhibyn — be  merciful!  The  poor  wretch  looks 
as  if  he  were  ready  to  howl  at  the  bare  mention  of  such  a 
heathen,  fabulous  name.  Anything  would  be  an  improvement 
on  the  Welsh, — Cambyses,  Sardanapalus — are  euphonic  in 
comparison." 

"Mr.  Hargrove  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  good 
ness  in  telling  me  so  much  about  celebrated  dogs,  and  if  the 
queer  names  sound  any  sweeter  to  me  after  I  am  well  edu 
cated,  and  grow  learned, — I  will, take  one  of  them;  but  just 
now,  I  believe  I  would  rather  call  my  dog  Hero." 

"  Regina  Orme  !  you  benighted  innocent !  Don't  make 
Peyton's  hair  rise  with  horror  at  your  slaughter  of  the  '  unities.' 
Why  my  dear — Hero  was  a  young  lady  who  lived  in  Sestos,  a 
few  thousand  years  ago,  and  was  not  considered  a  model  of 
prudent  behavior,  even  then." 

"  Are  not  brave  noble  men  called  heroes  ?  Did  not  Mr. 
Hargrove  say  last  week  that  Philo  Smith  was  a  hero,  when  he 
jumped  into  the  mill-pond  and  saved  Lemuel  Martin  from 
drowning  ?  Does  not  my  history  call  Leonidas  a  hero  ?  I 
don't  know  exactly  who  the  'unities'  are,  but  until  I  learn 
more,  I  intend  to  call  my  dog  Hero.  To  me  it  seems  to  mean 
everything  I  wish  him  to  be  ;  good,  faithful,  brave,  grand, — 
and  I  shall  call  him  Hero.  Come  along  Hero,  and  get  some 
supper." 


88  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

|RS.  ORME,  now  that  you  are  comfortable  in  your 
wrapper  and  slippers,  let  me  take  down  your  hair, 
and  then  I  will  bring  you  a  cup  of  tea ;  not  the  vile 
lukewarm  stuff  they  give  us  here,  but  good  genuine  tea  made 
out  of  my  own  caddy,  that  has  some  strength,  and  will  build  you 
up.  Rehearsals  don't  often  serve  you  so  badly." 

"  Thank  you,  Mrs.  Waul,  but  the  tea  would  only  make  me 
more  nervous,  and  that  is  a  risk  I  cannot  afford  to  incur.  Please 
raise  both  windows, — fresh  air,  even  Parisian  air,  is  better  for 
me  than  anything  else." 

"You  have  not  seemed  quite  yourself  since  we  came  here, 
and  I  don't  understand  at  all.  why  two  nights  in  Paris  serve 
you  worse  than  a  week's  acting  elsewhere." 

"  Have  not  I  told  you  that  I  dread  above  every  other  ordeal, 
the  critical  Parisian  audience  ?  " 

"But  you  passed  so  successfully  through  it !  Last  night  the 
galleries  absolutely  thundered,  and  people  seemed  half  wild 
with  delight.  William  says  the  papers  are  full  of  praise." 

Mrs.  Waul  crossed  the  room  to  lay  upon  the  bureau  the  steel 
pins  she  had  taken  from  her  mistress's  hair,  and  the  latter  mut 
tered  audibly  : 

"For  me  the  'ides  of  March'  are  come  indeed,  but  not 
passed." 

"  Did  you  speak  to  me  ?  " 

"  There  comes  your  husband.  I  hear  his  slow  heavy  step 
upon  the  stairs.  Open  the  door." 

As  an  elderly  white-haired  man  entered,  Mrs.  Orme  put  out 
her  hand. 

"  Letters  from  home, — Mr.  Waul  ?  " 

"  One  from  America,  two  from  London,  and  a  note  from  the 
American  minister." 


INFELICE.  89 

"  You  saw  the  minister  then  ?  Did  he  give  you  the  papers 
we  shall  require  ?  " 

"  He  has  been  sick  I  believe,  but  said  he  would  be  at  the 
theatre  to-night,  and  would  call  and  see  you  to-morrow." 

"  Hear  this  sentence,  good  people, — from  his  note  :  '  Only 
indisposition  prevented  my  attendance  at  the  theatre  last  night, 
— to  witness  the  brilliant  triumph  of  my  countrywoman.  Since 
the  palmy  days  of  Rachel,  I  have  not  heard  such  extravagant 
eulogies,  and  as  an  American,  I  proudly  and  cordially  con 
gratulate  you— ' " 

"  Are  you  going  to  faint !  Stand  back  William,  and  let  me 
bathe  her  face  with  cologne.  What  is  the  matter  Mrs.  Onne  ? 
You  shake  as  if  you  had  an  ague." 

But  her  mistress  sat  with  eyes  fixed  upon  a  line,  visible  only 
to  herself:  "  Your  countrymen  here  are  very  much  elated,  and 
to-night  I  shall  be  accompanied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cuthbert  Lau- 
rance,  son  of  Gen.  Rene  Laurance,  whose  wealth  and  social 
eminence  must  have  at  least  rendered  his  name  familiar  to  all 
Americans  travelling  in  Europe." 

"  Be  quick,  Phoebe,  and  get  her  a  glass  of  wine.  She  has  no 
more  color  in  her  lips,  than  there  is  in  my  white  beard." 

"  No — give  me  nothing.     I  only  want  rest — quiet." 

She  crushed  the  delicate  satin  paper  in  her  hand,  and  rallied 
her  composure.  After  a  moment  added  : 

"  A  slight  faintness,  that  is  all.  Mr.  Waul  before  the  curtain 
rises  to-night,  I  wish  you  to  ascertain  in  what  portion  of  the 
house  the  American  minister's  box  is  located  ;  write  it  on  a  slip 
of  paper  and  send  it  to  the  dressing-room,  by  your  wife.  Just 
now,  I  believe  I  have  no  other  commissions.  If  I  do  not  ring 
my  little  bell,  do  not  disturb  me  until  five  o'clock,  then  bring 
me  a  cup  of  strong  coffee.  And  Mrs.  Waul,  please  baste  a 
double  row  of  swan's-down  around  the  neck  and  sleeves  of  the 
white  silk,  I  shall  wear  to-night.  Let  no  one  disturb  me ;  not 
even  the  manager." 

As  the  husband  and  wife  withdrew,  she  followed  them  to  the 
door,  locked  it  on  the  inside,  and  returned  to  the  easy-chair 


90  TNFELTCE. 

With  a  whitening,  hardening  face,  she  re-read  the  note,  and 
thrust  it  into  one  of  the  silk  pockets  of  her  robe. 

Although  nine  years  had  elapsed  since  we  saw  her  first,  in  the 
mellow  lamplight  of  Mr.  Hargrove's  library,  time  had  touched 
her  so  daintily,  so  lovingly  that  only  two  lines  were  discernible 
about  the  mouth,  where  habitual  compression  had  set  its  print  ; 
and  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  realize  that  she  was  twenty- 
eight,  had  not  the  treacherous  eyes  betrayed  the  gloom,  the 
bitterness,  the  ceaseless  heartache  that  filled  them  with  shadows, 
which  prematurely  aged  the  whole  countenance/ 

The  added  years  seemed  only  to  have  ripened  and  perfected 
her  exquisite  beauty,  but  with  the  rounded  smoothness,  and  the 
fresh  pure  coloring  of  youth,  was  mingled  a  weird  indescribable 
expression  of  stern  hopelessness,  of  solemn  repose, — as  if  she 
had  deliberately  shaken  hands  forever  with  all  that  makes  life 
bright  and  precious,  and  were  fronting  with  calm  smile  and 
quiet  pulses  a  grim  and  desperate  conflict,  which  she  well  knew 
could  have  an  end  only  in  the  peace  of  the  pall, — that  long 
truce, — whose  signal  is  the  knell  and  the  requiem. 

Had  she  been  reared  amid  the  fatalistic  influences  of  Arabia, 
she  could  not  have  more  completely  adopted  and  exemplified 
the  marble  motto  :  "  Despair  is  a  free  man  ; — Hope  is  a  slave." 
For  her,  the  rosy  mist  that  usually  hovers  over  futurity  had 
been  swept  rudely  aside, — the  softening  glow  of  the  To-Come 
had  been  precipitated  into  a  dull  pitiless  leaden  ever  Present, 
at  which  she  neither  raved  nor  railed,  but  inflexibly  fought  on, 
expecting  neither  sunshine  nor  succor, — unappalled  and  patient 
as  some  stony  figure  of  Fate,  which  chiselled  when  the  race 
was  young,  feels  the  shrouding  sands  of  centuries  drifting  around 
and  over  it,  but  makes  no  moan  over  the  buried  youth, — and 
watches  the  approaching  night  with  the  same  calm  steadfast 
gaze  that  looked  upon  the  starry  dawn,  and  the  golden  glory 
of  the  noon. 

The  cautious  repression  which  necessity  had  long  ago  ren 
dered  habitual,  had  crystallized  into  a  mask,  which  even  when 
alone  she  rarely  laid  aside  for  an  instant.  In  actual  life,  and 


INF  ELI  CE.  9  r 

among  strong  positive  natures,  the  deepest  feelings  find  no  vent 
in  the  effervescence  of  passionate  verbal  outbreaks,  and  outside 
the  charmed  precincts  of  the  tragic  stage,  the  world  would  not 
tolerate  the  raving  Hamlets  and  Othellos, — the  Macbeths  and 
Medeas  that  scowl  and  storm  and  anathematize  so  successfully 
in  the  magic  glow  of  the  footlights. 

To-day  as  Mme.  Odille  Orme  leaned  back  in  her  luxuriously 
cushioned  chair,  she  seemed  quiet  as  a  statue,  save  the  restless 
movements  of  her  slender  fingers,  which  twined  and  intertwined 
continually ;  while  the  concentrated  gaze  of  the  imperial  eyes 
never  stirred  from  the  open  window,  whence  she  saw, — not 
Parisian  monuments  of  civic  glory,  and  martial  splendor, — only 
her  own  past,  her  haunting  skull  and  cross-bones  of  the  Bygone. 
Her  violet-colored  dressing-gown  was  unbuttoned  at  the  throat, 
exposing  the  graceful  turn  of  the  neck,  and  the  proud  poise  of 
the  perfectly  modelled  head,  from  which  the  shining  hair  fell 
like  Danae's  shower, — framing  the  face  and  figure  on  a  back 
ground  as  golden  as  that  of  some  carefully  preserved  Byzantine 
picture. 

At  last,  the  heavily  fringed  lids  quivered,  drooped,  the  mag 
nificent  eyes  closed  as  if  to  shut  out  some  vision  too  torturing 
even  for  their  brave  penetrating  gaze, — and  in  her  rigid  white 
ness  she  seemed  some  unearthly  creature,  who  had  done  for 
ever  with  feverish  life,  and  the  frail  toys  of  time. 

Raising  her  arms  above  her  head,  she  rested  her  clasped 
hands  upon  her  brow,  and  in  a  low,  strangely  quiet  tone,  her 
words  dropped  like  icicles. 

"  It  was  a  groundless  fear, — that  when  the  long-sought  op 
portunity  came,  my  weak  womanish  nature  would  betray  me, — 
and  I  should  fail, — break  down  utterly  under  the  crushing 
weight  £>f  tender  memories, — sacred  associations.  What  are 
they  ?  Three  dreamy  weeks  of  delirious  wifehood, — balanced 
by  thirteen  years  of  toil,  aspersion,  hatred,  persecution ; — 
goaded  by  want,  pursued  ceaselessly  by  the  scorpion  scourge 
whose  slanderous  lash  coiled  ever  after  my  name,  my  reputa 
tion.  Three  weeks  a  bride, — unrecognized  as  such  even  then. 


92  INFELICE. 

— twelve  years  an  outcast, — repudiated,  insulted, — mother 
and  child  denied,  derided, — cast  off  as  a  serpent's  skin! — Ah 
memory  !  thou  hast  no  charm  to  stir  the  blackened  ashes  in  a 
heart  extinguished  by  the  steady  sleet  of  a  husband's  repudia 
tion.  When  love  is  dead,  and  regret  is  decently  buried, — and 
the  song  of  hope  is  hushed  forever, — then  revenge  mounts  the 
chariot  and  gathers  the  reins  in  her  hands  of  steel ; — and  be 
yond  the  writhing  hearts  whose  blood  dyes  her  rushing  wheels, 
— sees  only  the  goal.  Some  wise  anatomists  of  that  frail  yet 
invincible  sphinx — woman's  nature,  babble  of  one  weighty  fact, 
one  conquering  law, — that  only  the  mother  joy,  the  mother- 
love  fully  unseals  the  slumbering  sweetness,  and  latent  tender 
ness  of  her  being  ; — for  me,  maternity  opened  the  slu'ces  of  a 
sea  of  hate  and  gall.  Had  I  never  felt  the  velvet  touch  of  tiny 
fingers  on  my  cheek, — a  husband's  base  desertion  might  in 
time  have  been  forgiven, — possibly  at  least, — forgotten  ; — but 
the  first  wail  from  my  baby's  lips  awoke  the  wolf  in  me.  My 
wrongs  might  slumber  till  that  last  assize,  when  the  pitying 
eyes  of  Christ  sum  up  the  record, — but  hers — have  made  a 
hungry  panther  of  my  soul.  Come  memory, — unlock  your 
treasure  house,  uncoil  your  spells,  chant  all  your  witching 
strains,  and  let  us  see  whether  the  towers  of  Notre  Dame  will 
not  tremble  and  dissolve  as  soon  as  I  ?  " 

Bending  to  a  trunk  near  her  chair,  she  unlocked  it  and  taking 
out  a  papier  mach'e  box,  opened  it  with  a  small  key  that  hung 
from  her  watch  chain,  and  placed  it  on  the  table  before  her, 
where  she  had  thrown  the  unread  letters.  Leaning  forward, 
she  crossed  her  arms  upon  the  marble,  and  looked  down  on 
the  contents  of  the  box, — her  child's  letters, — her  own  unan 
swered  appeals  in  behalf  of  her  babe, — a  photograph  of  the 
latter, — and  most  prominent  of  all — a  large  square  ambrotype 
of  a  handsome  boyish  face, — with  a  short  curl  of  black  hair 
lying  inside  the  case. 

*'  Idolatrous  ? — Yes  all  women  are, — embryo  pagans,  and  the 
only  comfort  is,  that  when  the  idol  crumbles  into  clay,  mock 
ing  our  prayers  and  offerings, — we  still  worship  at  the  same 


INFELICR.  93 

old  shrine,  having  dusted  and  garnished  ai  d  set  thereon — 
maybe  the  Furies, — which  bid  fair  to  survive  the  wreck  of 
gods, — of  creeds, — and  of  time.  Like  CEnone,  we  are  all  be 
trayed  sooner  or  later  by  our  rose-lipped  Paris, — 

*  Beautiful  Paris,  evil-hearted  Paris,' 

and  after  the  inevitable  foolish  tears  of  vain  regret,  we  dry  our 
eyes,  and  hunt  Cassandra,  to  listen  to  the  muttering  of  the 
thunder  that  is  gathering  to  avenge  us — in  Troy.  Bride  and 
bridegroom, — face  to  face — Cuthbert  !  So  you  looked,  when 
we  parted, — when  you  strained  me  to  your  heart,  and  swore 
that  before  a  fortnight  passed  you  would  hold  l  darling  Minnie 
in  your  arms  once  more  ! '  Did  you  mean  it  even  then  ? 
No, — no,  already  the  hounds  of  slander  were  snuffing  in  my 
path,  and  the  toils  were  spread  for  my  unwary  feet.  Here — 
look  back  at  me,  my  husband, — with  those  fond  peerless  eyes, 
as  on  that  day  when  I  saw  you  last — all  mine !  To-night — 
across  the  gulf  of  separation,  and  of  shameful  wrong, — we  shall 
look  into  each  other's  faces,  once  more, — while  another  woman 
wears  my  name, — fills  my  place  at  your  side.  Fair  treacherous 
face  of  my  first  and  only  love, — handsome  as  a  god  ! — false  as 
Apollyon  !  " 

She  had  lifted  the  ambrotype  and  held  it  close  to  her  eyes, 
— then  her  hand  sank  until  the  picture  dropped  back  into  its 
place,  and  the  lonely  desolate  woman  buried  her  face  in  her 
palms.  The  pretty  gilt  clock  on  the  mantle  ticked  monoton 
ously,  and  the  hum  of  life,  and  the  busy  roll  of  vehicles  in  the 
vast  city,  was  borne  in  through  the  window,  like  the  faint  roar 
of  yet  distant  Niagara ;  and  after  awhile  when  the  sharp  stroke 
of  the  clock  announced  four,  the  bowed  figure  raised  herself. 

Sweeping  back  the  blinding  veil  of  hair,  her  brilliant  brown 
eyes  shone  calm  and  dry,  dimmed  by  no  tears  of  fond  womanly 
regret,  and  as  they  fell  upon  the  photograph  of  Regina,  a  smile 
of  indescribable  bitterness  curled  the  lovely  lips  that  might  have 
served  as  model  for  Psyche's. 

"  *  The  trail  of  the  serpent  is  over  all.'  Can  there  be  pardon 
for  the  man  who  makes  me  shrink  shudderingly  at  times,  from 


94  INFELICE. 

her,  whose  little  veins  were  fed  from  mine, — whose  pulses  are 
but  a  throb  from  my  heart, — my  baby  !  My  own  baby — who 
when  I  snatch  her  in  my  arms,  smiles  at  me  with  his  wonderful 
eyes  of  blue  ; — and  well  nigh  maddens  me  with  the  very  echo 
of  a  voice  whose  wily  sweetness  won  my  love, — to  make  an 
hour's  pastime,  a  cheap  toy, — soon  worn  out, — worthless  and 
trodden  under  foot  after  three  weeks'  sport !  Stooping  over 
my  baby,  when  she  stretched  her  little  hands  and  coaxed  me 
to  lift  heron  my  lap, — I  have  started  .back  from  the  sight  of 
her  innocent  face,  as  if  a  hooded  viper  fawned  upon  me  ;  for 
the  curse  of  her  father's  image  has  smitten  my  only  darling,  my 
beautiful  proud  child !  Oh  God  !  that  we  had  both  died  in 
that  dim  damp  ward  of  the  Hospital, — where  she  first  opened 
her  eyes, — unwelcomed  by  the  father,  whose  features  she 
bears  ! " 

But  beneath  this  Marah  tide  that  was  surging  so  fiercely  over 
her  long  suffering  heart, — bubbled  the  pure  sweet  incorruptible 
fount  of  mother  love,  and  while  she  studied  the  fair  childish 
face,  her  own  softened,  as  that  of  some  snow  image  whose  fea 
tures  gradually  melt  as  the  sunlight  creeps  across  it.  It  was  a 
picture  taken  after  Regina's  removal  to  the  Parsonage,  and 
represented  her  with  the  white  rabbits  nestling  in  her  arms. 

"  My  proud  little  Regina  !  my  pure  sensitive  darling  !  How 
much  longer  must  we  be  separated  ?  Will  the  time  ever  come 
when  the  only  earthly  rest  that  remains  for  me,  can  be  taken 
in  her  soft  clinging  arms  ?  Patience — patience.  If  it  were  not 
for  her, — for  my  baby, — I  might  falter  even  now, — but  she 
must,  she  shall  be  righted — at  any  sacrifice, — at  every  cost ; — 
and  may  the  widow's  and  the  orphan's  God — be  pitiful — be 
pitiful — at  last." 

She  raised  her  child's  picture  in  her  clasped  hands,  as  if  ap 
pealing  indeed  to  the  justice  of  Him,  who  "  never  slumbers, 
nor  sleeps," — and  the  tremor  of  her  lips  and  voice  told  how 
passionate  was  the  affection  for  her  daughter,  how  powerful  the 
motives  that  sustained  her  in  the  .prolonged  and  torturing 
ordeal. 


INFELICE.  95 

Restoring  the  portraits  to  their  hiding  place,  she  locked  the 
trunk,  and  as  she  resumed  her  seat  seemed  suddenly  to  recol 
lect  the  letters  lying  on  the  table. 

One  was  a  brief  note,  from  the  manager  of  the  London 
theatre  where  she  had  recently  been  engaged ;  the  second 
from  a  celebrated  money-lender,  which  bore  only  the  signature, 
— "  Simon,"  and  was  as  follows  : 

DEAR  MADAM  : — Since  our  last  conversation  relative  to  the 
purchase  of  a  certain  mortgage,  I  have  ascertained  that  you 
can  secure  it,  by  adding  one  hundred  pounds  to  the  amount 
specified  by  the  holder.  Should  you  still  desire  me  to  effect 
the  transfer,  delay  might  thwart  your  negotiation,  and  I  re 
spectfully  solicit  prompt  instructions." 

Twice  she  read  these  lines,  then  slowly  tore  the  paper  into 
stri}  5,  shredded  and  threw  them  toward  the  grate,  while  a  stony 
expression  settled  once  more  upon  her  features.  The  remain 
ing  letter  was  post-marked  New  York,  and  addressed,  in  a  bold 
round  mercantile  hand,  but  when  the  envelope  had  been  re 
moved,  the  formal  angular  chirography  of  a  school-girl  displayed 
itself,  and  as  the  sheet  was  opened,  there  issued  thence  a  deli- 
cats  perfume,  that  gushed  like  a  breath  of  spring  over  the  heart 
of  the  lonely  mother. 

Several  leaves  of  lemon-verbena,  and  a  few  violets  fell  from 
the  folds  of  the  paper,  and  picking  them  up,  Mrs.  Orme  spread 
them  on  her  palm.  Only  a  few  withered  leaves  and  faded  petals 
that  had  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  whisper  fragrant  messages  of 
love,  from  the  trusting  brave  young  soul,  whose  inexperienced 
hand  had  stiffly  traced  at  the  top  of  the  page  :  "  My  darling 
Mother." 

Ah  !  what  a  yearning  tenderness  glorified  the  woman's  frozen 
face,  as  the  flowers  in  her  hand  babbled  of  the  blue  eyes  that 
had  looked  last  upon  them, — of  the  childish  fingers  that  brushed 
the  dew  from  their  purple  velvet, — of  the  dainty  almost  infantile 
lips  that  had  fondly  pressed  them, — of  the  holy  prayer  breathed 
over  them, — that  ere  the  time  of  violets  came  again, — mother 
and  child  might  be  reunited. 


96  TNFELICR. 

Just  now,  she  dared  not  read  the  letter,  dared  not  surrender 
to  the  softening  influences  that  might  melt  the  rigid  purpose  of 
her  soul, — and  kissing  the  flotvers  reverently,  the  mother  laid 
them  aside,  until  a  more  convenient  season,  and  began  to  walk 
slowly  to  and  fro.  .  .  . 

The  play  that  night  was  "  Kenilworth,"  and  had  been  cast  to 
admit  some  alterations  made  in  the  dramatization  by  Madame 
Orme,  who  frequently  introduced  startling  innovations  in  her 
rendering  of  her  parts,  and  in  almost  all  her  favorite  roles  re 
fused  rigid  adherence  to  the  written  text.  The  reputation  of 
her  beauty,  and  former  triumphs,  the  success  achieved  on  the  pre 
vious  nights,  and  certain  tart  criticisms  upon  the  freedom  of  her 
interpretation  of  Scott's  lovely  heroine — Leicester's  wife, — com 
bined  to  draw  a  crowded  house ;  and  ere  the  curtain  rose,  every 
box  was  occupied,  save  one  on  the  second  tier,  near  the  stage. 

As  the  crash  of  the  orchestra  died  away,  and  the  play  opened 
with  the  interview  between  Lambourn  and  Foster,  followed  by 
Tressilian,  and  the  encounter  with  Varney, — the  door  of  the  box 
opened,  and  the  American  Minister  entered, — accompanied  by 
a  lady  and  gentleman,  who  after  seating  themselves  and  gather 
ing  back  the  folds  of  the  box  curtains,  proceeded  to  scan  the 
audience. 

As  they  disposed  themselves  comfortably,  a  white-haired  man 
watching  through  a  crevice  in  the  side  scene,  scribbled  on  a  piece 
of  paper  which  was  handed  into  the  dressing-room  :  "  Second 
box,  second  tier,  right-hand  side.  Two  gentlemen  and  a  lady 
wearing  a  scarlet  cloak." 

Sitting  between  the  Minister  and  her  husband,  Mrs.  Laurance 
with  her  brilliant  wrappings  was  the  most  prominent  of  the  group, 
and  in  the  blaze  of  the  gaslight  looked  at  least  thirty-five  ;  a 
woman  of  large  proportions  compactly  built,  with  broad  shoul 
ders  that  sustained  a  rather  short  thick  neck,  now  exposed  in 
extreme  decollete  style,  as  if  to  aid  the  unsuccessful  elongation 
of  nature.  Her  sallow  complexion  was  dark,  almost  bistre,  and 
the  strongly  marked  irregular  features  were  only  redeemed  from 
positive  plainness,  by  the  large  fiery  black  eyes,  whose  beauty 


INFELICE.  9  7 

was  somewhat  marred  by  the  intrusive  boldness  of  their  expres 
sion.  Bowing  to  some  one  opposite,  her  very  full  lips  parted 
smilingly  over  a  set  of  sound  strong  teeth,  rather  uneven  in  out 
line,  and  of  the  yellowish  cast  often  observed  in  persons  of  hum 
ble  birth  and  arduous  life.  Her  dusky  hair  belonging  to  the 
family  of  neutral-brown, — was  elaborately  puffed  and  frizzed, 
and  in  her  ears  hung  large  solitaire  diamonds  that  glowed  like 
globes  of  fire,  and  scattered  rays  that  were  reflected  in  the  cir 
clet  around  her  throat. 

Beside  her  sat  her  husband,  leaning  back  with  negligent 
grace,  and  carelessly  stroking  his  silky  black  moustache  with 
one  gloved  hand,  while  the  other  toyed  with  a  jewelled  opera 
glass.  Although  only  two  years  her  junior,  she  bore  the  appear 
ance  of  much  greater  seniority,  and  the  proud  patrician  cast  of 
his  handsome  face  contrasted  as  vividly  with  the  coarser  lower 
type  of  hers,  as  though  in  ancient  Roman  era  he  had  veritably 
worn  the  clavus  and  the  bulla,  while  she  trudged  in  lowly  guise 
among  the  hard-handed  heroines  of  the  proletarii. 

Over  his  dreamy  violet  eyes  arched  the  peculiarly  fine  jet 
brows,  that  Mr.  Palm  a  had  found  so  distinctive  in  Regina's 
face, — and  his  glossy  hair  and  beard  possessed  that  purplish 
black  tint  so  rarely  combined  with  the  transparent  white  com 
plexion,  which  now  gleamed  conspicuously  in  his  broad,  full, 
untanned  forehead. 

The  indolent  insouciance  of  his  bearing  was  quite  in  accord 
with  his  social  record,  as  a  proud  high-born  man  of  cultivated 
elegant  tastes,  and  unmistakably  dissipated  tendencies, — which 
doubtless  would  long  ago  have  fructified  in  thoroughly  demor 
alized  habits,  had  not  his  wife  vigorously  exerted  her  exigeant 
guardianship. 

"  Have  you  heard  the  last  joke  at  Count  T 's  expense  ?  " 

said  Mrs.  Laurance,  tapping  the  arm  of  the  Minister,  with  her 
gilded  fan. 

"  Do  you  refer  to  the  contretemps  of  the  masks  at  the  Grand 
Ball?" 

"No,  something  connected  with  Mine.  Orme.  It  seems 
5 


98  INFELICE. 

the  Count  saw  her  in  London,  became  infatuated — as  men 
always  are  about  pretty  actresses, — and  the  first  night  she  played 
here  he  was  almost  frantic ;  wrote  a  note  between  the  acts,  and 
sent  it  to  her  twisted  in  that  costly  antique  scarf-ring,  he  is  so 
fond  of  telling  people  once  belonged  to  the  Duke  of  Orleans  ! 
Before  the  play  ended,  it  was  returned,  with  the  note  torn  into 
several  strips  and  bound  around  it.  Fancy  his  chagrin  !  Col. 
Thorpe  was  in  the  box  with  him,  and  told  it  next  day,  when  we 
met  at  dinner.  When  I  asked  T— = —  his  opinion  of  Madame, 
he  answered  : 

"  She  is  perfectly  divine  !  But  alas  !  only  an  inspired  icicle. 
She  should  be  called  *  Sulitelmaj — which  I  believe  means, — 
Cuthbert  what  did  you  tell  me  it  meant  ?  " 

"  Queen  of  Snows.  Abbie  do  lower  your  voice  a  trifle." 
He  answered  without  even  glancing  at  her,  and  she  continued  : 

"I  wanted  to  see  her  last  night  in  *  Medea,'  but  Cuthbert 
had  an  opera  engagement,  and  beside  little  Maud  had  the 
croup " 

A  storm  of  applause  cut  short  the  nursery  budget,  and  all 
turned  to  the  stage  where  Amy  Robsart  entered,  followed  by 
Janet  and  by  Varney. 

Advancing  with  queenly  grace  and  dignity  to  a  pile  of  cush 
ions  in  the  centre  of  the  drawing-room  at  Cumnor-Place,  she 
stood  a  moment  with  downcast  eyes,  till  the  acclamation 
ceased,  and  Varney  renewed  his  appeal. 

Her  satin  dress  was  of  that  exquisite  tint  which  in  felicitous 
French  phraseology  is  termed  de  couleur  de  fleur  de  pecker, 
and  swept  down  from  her  slender  figure  in  statuesque  folds, 
that  ended  in  a  long  court  train,  particularly  becoming  in  the 
pose  she  had  selected.  The  Elizabethan  ruff,  with  an  edge  of 
filmy  lace  softened  the  effect  of  the  bodice  cut  square  across 
the  breast,  and  revealed  the  string  of  pearls,  Leicester's  last 
gift,  that  shone  so  fair  upon  his  Countess'  snowy  neck.  From 
the  mass  of  hair  heaped  high  upon  her  head,  soft  tendrils 
clustered  to  the  edge  of  her  brow,  and  here  and  there  a  long 
curl  strayed  over  her  shoulder,  and  glittered  like  burnished 


INFELICE. 


99 


gold  in  the  glare  of  the  quivering  footlights.  The  lovely  arms 
and  hands  were  unburdened  by  jewels,  and  save  the  pearls 
around  her  throat,  and  the  aigrette  of  brilliants  in  the  upper 
bandeau  of  her  hair,  she  wore  no  ornaments.  The  perfect  im 
personation  of  a  beautiful,  innocent  happy  bride,  impatiently 
expectant  of  her  husband's  entrance,  she  stood  listening  to  his 
messenger, — a  tender  smile  parting  her  rosy  lips. 

The  chair  of  state  chanced  to  be  placed  in  the  direction 
of  the  Minister's  box,  and  only  a  few  feet  distant,  and  when 
Varney  attempted  to  place  her  upon  it,  she  waved  him  back 
and  raising  her  right  hand  toward  it,  said  in  that  calm,  deep, 
pure  voice  which  had  such  thrilling  emphasis  in  its  lowest 
cadences : 

"  No  good  Master  Richard  Varney,  I  take  not  my  place 
t/iere,  until  my  Lord  himself  conducts  me.  I  am  for  the  pres 
ent  a  disguised  Countess,  and  will  not  take  dignity  upon  me, 
until  authorized  by  him,  from  whom  I  derived  it." 

In  that  brief  sentence  she  knew  her  opportunity  and  seized 
it,  for  her  glance  followed  her  uplifted  hand,  mounted  into  the 
box, — and  sweeping  across  the  Minister,  dwelt  for  some  sec 
onds  on  the  dark  womanly  countenance  beside  him,  and  then 
fastened  upon  the  face  of  Mr.  Laurance. 

Some  whose  seats  were  on  that  side  of  the  house,  and  who 
chanced  to  have  their  lorgnettes  levelled  at  her  just  then, — saw 
a  long  shiver  creep  over  her, — as  if  a  blast  of  cold  air  had 
blown  down  through  the  side  scene, — and  a  sudden  spark 
blazed  up  in  the  dilating  eyes,  as  a  mirror  flashes  when  a  candle 
flame  smites  its  cold  dark  surface ;  but  not  a  muscle  quivered 
in  the  fair  proud  face,  and  only  the  Varney  at  her  side  noticed 
that  when  the  slight  hand  fell  back,  it  sought  its  mate  with  a 
quick  groping  motion,  and  the  delicate  fingers  clutched  each 
other  till  the  nails  grew  purple. 

For  fully  a  moment  that  burning  gaze  rested  on  the  fea 
tures  that  seemed  to  possess  some  subtle  fascination  for  her,  and 
wandering  back  to  the  wife, — a  shadowy  smile  hovered  around 
Ihe  lips  that  were  soon  turned  away  to  answer  Varney.  As  she 


loo        .  INFELICE. 

moved  in  the  direction  of  a  window,  to  listen  for  the  clatter  of 
horse's  hoofs,  Mrs.  Laurance  whispered  : 

"  Is  not  she  the  loveliest  creature  you  ever  beheld?  I  never  saw 
such  superb  eyes, — they  absolutely  seemed  to  lighten  just  now. 
Cuthbert  did  you  only  notice  how  she  looked  right  at  me  ?  I 
daresay  my  solitaires  attracted  her  attentiop, — and  no  wonder, 
• — they  are  the  largest  in  the  house,  and  these  actresses  always 
have  an  eye  to  the  very  best  jewelry.  Of  course  it  must  have 
been  my  diamonds." 

From  the  moment  when  Amy  Robsart  entered,  Cuthbert  Lau 
rance  felt  a  strange  magnetic  thrill  dart  through  every  fibre  of 
his  frame  ;  his  sluggish  pulse  stirred,  and  as  her  mesmeric  brown 
eyes,  luminous,  overmastering  met  his, — he  drew  his  breath  in 
quick  gasps,  and  his  heart  in  its  rapid  throbbing  seemed  to 
pour  liquid  fire  into  the  bounding  arteries.  Some  vague  bewil 
dering  reminiscence  danced  through  the  clouded  chambers  of 
his  brain,  pointing  like  a  mocking  fiend  now  this  way, — then  in 
an  opposite  direction ;  one  instant  assuring  him  that  they  had 
somewhere  met  before, — the  next  torturing  him  with  the  tri 
umphant  taunt  that  he  had  hitherto  never  known  any  one  half 
so  lovely.  Was  it  merely  some  lucky  accident  that  had  so  un 
expectedly  brought  them  during  that  long  flattering  gaze, 
thoroughly  en  rapport '? 

He  no  more  heard  his  wife's  hoarse  whisper,  than  if  a  cyclone 
had  whirled  between  them,  and  leaning  forward  to  catch  the 
measured  melody  that  floated  from  the  Countess's  lips,  a  crim 
son  glow  fired  his  cheek  as  he  caught  the  lofty  words. 

"  I  know  a  cure  for  jealousy.  It  is  to  speak  truth  to  my 
Lord  at  all  times ;  to  hold  up  my  mind,  my  thoughts  before 
him,  as  pure  as  that  polished  mirror, — so  that  when  he  looks 
into  my  heart,  he  shall  see  only  his  own  features  reflected 
there.*  Can  he  who  took  my  little  hands  and  made  them  wifely, — 
laying  therein  the  precious  burden  of  his  honor, — afford  to  doubt 
the  palms  are  clean  ?  " 

No  wonder  Varney  stared,  and  the  prompter  anathematized 
*Mrs.  Orme's  interpolations  are  all  italicized. 


INFELICE.  roi 

• 

the  sudden  flicker  of  the  gas  jet  that  caused  him  to  lose  his 
place  ;  there  was  no  such  written  sentence  as  the  last,  and  the 
rehearsal  proved  no  sure  index  of  all  the  Countess  uttered  that 
night, — but  the  play  rolled  on,  and  when  the  folding  doors 
flew  open  and  Amy  sprang  to  meet  her  noble  husband,  the 
house  began  to  warm  into  an  earnest  sympathy. 

In  the  scene  that  followed,  she  sat  with  childlike  simplicity 
and  grace  on  the  footstool  at  Leicester's  feet,  while  he  ex 
hibited  the  jewelled  decorations  of  his  princely  garb,  and  ex 
plained  the  significance  of  the  various  orders  ; — and  in  the 
face  upturned  to  him  who  filled  the  chair  of  state,  there  was  a 
wealth  of  loving  tenderness, — that  might  have  moved  colder 
natures  than  that  which  now  kindled  in  the  deep  violet  eyes 
that  watched  her  from  the  Minister's  box. 

Gradually  the  curious,  timid,  admiring  bride  is  merged  in 
the  wife,  with  ambition  budding  in  her  heart,  and  exacting  pride 
pleading  for  recognition,  and  wifely  dignities, — and  in  this 
transformation  the  power  of  the  woman  asserted  itself. 

Bending  toward  Leicester,  until  from  the  low  seat  she  sank 
unintentionally  upon  her  knees,  she  prayed  with  passionate 
fervor  : 

"  But  shall  not  your  wife, — my  love,  one  day  soon, — be  sur 
rounded  with  the  honor  which  arises  neither  from  the  toils  of 
the  mechanic  who  decks  her  apartment, — nor  from  the  silks  and 
jewels  with  which  your  generosity  adorns  her, — but  which  is  at 
tached  to  her  place  among  the  matronage,  as  the  avowed  wife 
of  England's  noblest  Earl?  'Tis  not  the  dazzli?ig  splendor  of 
your  title  that  I  covet, — but  the  richer ;  nobler  dearer  coronet  of 
vour  beloved  name, — the  precious  privilege  of  fronting  the 
world  as  your  acknowledged  wife." 

Again  in  answer  to  his  flattering  evasive  sophistries,  she 
asked  in  a  voice  whose  marvellous  modulations  in  the  midst  of 
intense  feeling,  seemed  to  penetrate  every  nook  of  that  vast 
building  : 

"But  why  can  it  not  be  ?  Why  can  it  not  immediately  take 
place, — this  more  perfect  uninterrupted  union,  for  which  you 


ro2  INFELICE. 

say  you  wish,  and  which  the  laws  of  God  and  man  alike  com 
mand  ?  Think  you  my  unshod  feet  would  shrink  from  glowing 
ploughshares, — if  crossing  them,  I  found  the  sacred  shelter  of 
my  husband's  name  1  Ah  husband!  dost  blanch  before  the 
storm  of  condemnation,  which  has  no  terrors  for  a  wife's  brave 
heart  ?  It  would  seem  but  scant  and  tardy  justice,  to  own  thy 
wedded  wife  /" 

The  Earl  had  led  her  behind  the  scenes,  and  the  Minister  had 
twice  addressed  him,  ere  Mr.  Laurance  recovered  himself  suf 
ficiently  to  perceive  that  his  companions  were  smiling  at  his 
complete  absorption. 

"Why — Cuthbert — wake  up.  You  look  like  some  one  walk 
ing  open-eyed  in  sleep.  Has  Madam e's  beauty  dazed  you  as 
utterly  as  poor  Count  T ?  " 

His  wife  pinched  his  arm,  but  without  heeding  her,  he  looked 
quite  past  her,  into  the  laughing  eyes  of  the  Minister,  and 
asked  : 

"  Do  you  know  her  ?     Is  her  husband  living  ?  " 

"  I  shall  call  by  appointment,  to-morrow,  but  this  is  the  first 
time  I  have  seen  her.  Of  her  history  I  know  nothing,  but 
rumor  pronounces  her  a  widow." 

"  Which  generally  means  that  these  pretty  actresses  have 
drunken  worthless  husbands,  paid  comfortable  salaries  to  shut 
their  eyes,  and  keep  out  of  the  way,"  added  Mrs.  Laurance, 
lengthening  the  range  of  her  opera  glass,  and  levelling  it  at  a 
group,  where  the  shimmer  of  jewels  attracted  her  attention. 

How  the  words  grated  on  her  husband's  ear,  grown  strangely 
sensitive  within  an  hour  ? 

Carelessly  glancing  over  the  sea  of  faces  beneath  and  around 
him,  the  Minister  continued  : 

"  English  critics  contend  that  Mme.  Orme's  'Amy  Robsart' 
is  so  far  from  being  Scott's  ideal  creation,  that  he  would  fail  to 
recognize  it,  were  he  alive  ;  still  where  she  alters  the  text,  and 
intensifies  the  type,  they  admit  that  the  dramatic  effect  is 
heightened.  She  appears  to  have  concentrated  all  her  talent 
upon  the  passionate  impersonation  of  one  peculiar  phase  of 


INFELICE.  103 

feminine  suffering  and  endurance ; — that  of  the  outraged  and 
neglected  wife,  and  her  favorite  roles  are  '  Katherine '  from 
Henry  VJJI.,  '  Hermione,'  and  'Medea,'  though  she  is  said  to 
excel  in  '  Deborah.'  My  brother  who  saw  her  last  night  as 
'  Medea,'  pronounced  her  fully  equal  to  Rachel,  and  said  that 
in  that  scene  where  she  attempted  to  remove  her  children  from 
the  side  of  the  new  wife,  the  despairing  fury  of  her  eyes  literally 
raised  the  few  thin  hairs  that  still  faithfully  cling  to  the  top  of  his 
head.  Ah — the  parting  with  Leicester, — how  marvellously 
beautiful  she  is  !  " 

Leaning  against  a  dressing-table  loaded  with  toilet  trifles 
and  bijouterie,  Amy  stood,  arrayed  in  the  costume  which  dis 
played  to  greatest  advantage  the  perfect  symmetry  of  form,  and 
the  dazzling  purity  of  her  complexion. 

The  cymar  of  white  silk  bordered  with  swan's-down  exposed 
the  gleaming  dimpled  shoulders,  and  from  beneath  the  pretty 
lace  coif,  the  unbound  glory  of  her  long  hair  swept  around  her 
like  a  cataract  of  gold,  touching  the  hem  of  her  silken  gown, 
where  to  complete  the  witchery,  one  slippered  foot  .was  visible. 
When  her  husband  entered  to  bid  her  adieu,  and  the  final  peti 
tion  for  public  acknowledgment  was  once  more  sternly  denied, 
the  long-pent  agony  in  the  woman's  heart  burst  all  barriers, — 
overflowed  every  dictate  of  wounded  pride, — and  with  an  utter 
abandon  of  genuine  poignant  grief,  she  gave  way  to  a  storm 
that  shook  her  frame  with  convulsive  sobs,  and  deluged  her 
cheeks  with  tears.  Despite  her  desperate  efforts  to  maintain 
her  self-control,  the  sight  of  her  husband's  magnetic  handsome 
face, — after  thirteen  weary  years  of  waiting, — unnerved,  over 
whelmed  her.  There  in  the  temple  of  Art,  where  critical  eyes 
were  bent  searchingly  upon  her,  Nature  triumphantly  asserted 
itself,  and  she  who  wept  passionately  from  the  bitter  realization 
of  her  own  accumulated  wrongs,  was  wildly  applauded  as  the 
queen  of  actresses,  who  so  successfully  simulated  imaginary 
woes. 

By  what  infallible  criterion  shall  criticdom  decide  the  bound 
aries  of  the  Actual  and  the  Ideal  ?  Who  shall  compute  the 


104  IN  FELICE: 

expenditure  of  literal  heartache  that  builds  up  the  popularly 
successful  Desdemonas,  Camilles,  and  Marie  Stuarts ; — the 
scalding  tears  that  gradually  crystallize  into  the  classic  repose 
essential  to  the  severe  simplicity  of  the  old  Greek  tragedies  ? 

The  curtain  fell  upon  a  bowed  and  sobbing  woman,  and  the 
tempest  of  applause  that  shook  the  building,  was  prolonged  until 
after  a  time,  Amy  Robsart  with  tears  still  glistening  on  her 
cheeks,  came  forward  to  acknowledge  the  tribute,  and  her 
silken  garments  were  pelted  with  bouquets.  Among  the  number 
that  embroidered  the  stage,  lay  a  pyramid  of  violets  edged  with 
rose  geranium  leaves,  and  raising  it  she  bent  her  lovely  head 
to  the  audience  and  kissed  the  violets,  in  memory  ? — of  her  far- 
off  child  ; — whose  withered  floral  tribute  was  more  precious  to 
the  woman's  heart, — than  all  the  laudatory  chaplets  of  the  great 
city,  which  did  homage  to  her  genuine  tears. 

Some  time  elapsed  while  the  play  shifted  to  the  Court,  re 
counting  the  feuds  of  Leicester  and  Sussex, — and  when  Amy 
Robsart  appeared  again,  it  was  in  the  stormy  interview  where 
Varney  endeavors  to  enforce  the  Earl's  command  that  she  shall 
journey  to  Kenil worth  as  Varney' s  wife.  The  trembling  sub- 
missiveness  of  earlier  scenes  was  thrown  away  forever,  and  as 
if  metamorphosed  into  a  Fury,  she  rose,  towered  above  him, — - 
every  feature  quivering  with  hatred,  scorn  and  defiance. 

"  Look  at  him — Janet !  that  I  should  go  with  him  to  Kenil- 
worth,  and  before  the  Queen  and  nobles,  and  in  presence  of  my 
own  wedded  lord,  that  I  should  acknowledge  him, — him  there 
— that  very  cloak-brushing,  shoe-cleaning-fellow, — him  there — 
my  lord's  lackey,  for  my  liege  lord  and  husband  !  I  would  I 
were  a  man  but  for  five  minutes ! — but  go  !  begone  ! — " 

She  paused  panting,  then  threw  back  her  haughty  head — rose 
on  tiptoe,  and  shaking  her  hand  in  prophetic  wrath  and  deathless 
defiance,  almost  hissed  into  the  box  beneath  which  Varney  stood : 

"  Go  tell  thy  master  that  when  I  like  him  can  forget  my 
plighted  troth,  turn  craven,  bury  honor,  a?id forswear  my  mar 
riage  vows, — then,  oh  then  !  I  promise  him  I  will  give  him  a 
rival,  something  worthy  of  the  name  !  " 


INF  ELI  CE.  105 

Was  the  avenging  lash  of  conscience  uncoiled  at  last,  in 
Cuthbert  Laurance's  hardened  soul,  that  the  blood  so  suddenly 
ebbed  from  his  lips,  and  he  drew  his  breath  like  one  overshad 
owed  by  a  vampire  ?  Only  once  had  he  caught  the  full  gleam  of 
her  indignant  eyes, — but  that  long  look  had  awakened  tortures 
that  would  never  entirely  slumber  again,  until  the  solemn  hush 
of  the  shroud  and  the  cemetery  was  his  portion.  No  suspicion 
of  the  truth  crossed  his  mind,  even  for  an  instant, — for  what 
resemblance  could  be  traced  between  that  regal  woman,  and 
the  shy  awkward  dark-haired  little  rustic,  who  thirteen  years  be 
fore  had  frolicked  like  a  spaniel  about  him, — loving  but  lowly  ? 

In  vain  he  sought  to  arrest  her  attention ;  the  actress  had 
only  once  looked  at  the  group,  and  it  was  not  until  near  the 
close  that  he  succeeded  in  catching  her  glance. 

After  her  escape  from  Varney,  Amy  Robsart  reached  in  dis 
guise  the  confines  of  Kenilworth,  and  standing  there, — travel- 
worn,  weary,  dejocted,  in  sight  of  the  princely  Castle,  with  its 
stately  towers  and  battlements, — she  first  saw  the  home  whose 
shelter  was  denied  her, — the  palatial  home  where  Leicester 
bowed  in  homage  before  Elizabeth.  As  a  neglected  repudiated 
wife,  creeping  stealthily  to  the  hearth  where  it  was  her  right  to 
reign, — Amy  turned  her  wan  woful  face  to  the  audience,  and 
fixing  her  gaze  with  strange  mournful  intentness  upon  the  eyes 
that  watched  her  from  the  box, — she  seemed  to  throw  her 
whole  soul  into  the  finest  passage  of  the  play. 

"  I  have  given  him  all  that  woman  has  to  give.  Name  and 
fame,  heart  and  hand,: — have  I  given  the  Lord  of  all  this  mag 
nificence. — at  the  altar,  and  England's  Queen  could  give  him  no 
more.  He  is  my  husband, — I  am  his  wife. — -I  will  be  bold  in 
claiming  my  right ;  even  the  bolder,  that  I  come  thus  unex 
pected  and  forlorn.  Whom  God  hath  joined,  man  cannot 
sunder." 

The  irresistible  pathos  of  look  and  tone  electrified  that  wide 
assemblage,  and  in  the  midst  of  such  plaudits  as  only  Paris  be 
stows,  she  allowed  her  eyes  to  wander  almost  dreamily  over 
the  surging  sea  of  human  heads, — and  as  if  she  were  in 


106  INFELICE. 

some  hunted,  hopeless,  homeless  waif  appealing  for  sympa 
thy,  she  shrouded  her  pallid  face  in  the  blue  folds  of  her  travel 
ling  cloak,  and  disappeared. 

"She  must  certainly  recognize  her  countrymen,  for  that 
splendid  passage  seemed  almost  thrown  to  us,  as  a  tribute  to 
our  nationality.  What  a  wonderful  voice  !  And  yet — she  is  so 
slender,  so  fragile,"  said  the  Minister. 

"Did  you  observe  how  pale  she  grew  toward  the  last, — and 
so  hollow-eyed,  — as  if  utterly  worn  out  in  the  passionate  strug 
gle  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Laurance. 

"  The  passion  of  the  remaining  parts  belongs  rather  to  Lei 
cester  and  the  Queen.  By  the  way — this  is  quite  a  handsome 
Earl,  and  the  whole  cast  is  decidedly  strong  and  successful. 
Look  Laurance  !  were  you  an  artist  would  you  desire  a  finer 
model  for  an  Egeria  ?  If  Madame  had  been  reared  in  Canova's 
studio  she  could  not  possibly  have  accomplished  a  mor@»  elegant 
felicitous  pose.  I  should  like  her  photograph  at  this  moment." 

In  the  grotto  scene,  Amy  was  attired  in  pale  sea-green  silk, 
and  her  streaming  hair  braided  it  with  yellow  light, — as  she 
shrank  back  from  the  haughty  visage  of  the  Queen. 

Rapidly  the  end  approached, — courtiers  and  maids  of  honor 
crowded  upon  the  stage,  and  thither  Elizabeth  dragged  the  un 
happy  wife,  into  the  presence  of  the  Earl, — crying  in  thunder 
tones  :  "  My  Lord  of  Leicester  !  Knowest  thou  this  woman  ?  " 

The  craven  silence  of  the  husband,  the  desperate  rally  of  the 
suffering  wife  to  shield  him  from  the  impending  wrath, — until  at 
last  she  was  borne  away  insensible  in  Hunsdon's  strong  arms, — 
all  followed  in  quick  succession, — and  Amy's  ill-starred  career 
approached  its  close,  in  the  last  interview  with  her  husband. 

When  Cuthbert  Laurance  was  a  gray-haired  man,  trembling 
upon  the  brink  of  eternity,  there  came  a  vision  in  the  solemn 
hours  of  night, — and  the  form  of  Amy — wan  as  some  marble 
statue,  breathed  again  in  his  ear,  the  last  words  she  uttered  that 
night. 

"  Take  your  ill-fated  wife  by  the  hand, — lead  her  to  the  foot- 
Stool  of  Elizabeth's  throne  ; — say  that  '  in  a  moment  of  infatu- 


INF  ELI  CE.  107 

ation  moved  by  supposed  beauty,  of  which  none  perhaps  can 
now  trace  even  the  remains, — I  gave  my  hand  to  this  poor  Amy 
Robsart.'  You  will  then  have  done  justice  to  rue,  and  to  your 
own  honor ;  and  should  law  or  power  require  you  to  part  from 
me,  I  will  offer  no  opposition, — since  I  may  then  with  honor 
hide  a  grieved  and  broken  heart  in  those  shades,  from  which 
your  love  withdrew  me.  Then — have  but  a  little  patience, — 
and  Amy's  life  will  not  long  darken  your  brighter  prospects." 

The  fatal  hour  arrived  ;  the  gorgeous  pomp  and  ceremonial 
of  the  court-pageant  had  passed  away,  and  in  a  dim  light  the 
treacherous  balcony  at  Cumnor  Place  was  visible.  In  the  hush 
that  pervaded  the  theatre,  the  Minister  heard  the  ticking  of  his 
watch,  and  Mrs.  Laurance  the  labored  breathing  of  her  husband. 

Upon  the  profound  silence  broke  the  tramp  of  a  horse's  hoofs 
in  the  neighboring  courtyard, — then  Varney's  whistle  in  imita 
tion  of  the  Earl's  signal  when  visiting  the  Countess. 

Instantly  the  door  of  her  chamber  swung  open,  and  standing 
a  moment  upon  the  threshold,  Amy  in  her  fleecy  white  drapery 
wavered  like  a  drifting  cloud,  then  moved  forward  upon  the  bal 
cony  ; — the  trap-door  fell,  and  the  lovely  marble  face  with  its 
lustrous  brown  eyes  sank  into  the  darkness  of  death. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

|O  men  and  women  of  intensely  emotional  nature,  it 
sometimes  happens  that  a  day  of  keen  and  torturing 
suspense,  or  a  night's  vigil  of  great  anguish,  mars  and 
darkens  a  countenance  more  indelibly  than  the  lapse  of  several 
ordinary  monotonous  years ;  and  as  Madame  Orme  sat  in  her 
reception  room  at  one  o'clock  on  the  following  afternoon, 
awaiting  the  visit  of  the  Minister,  the  blanched  face  was  far 
sterner  and  prouder  than  when  yesterday's  sun  rippled  across 


I08  INFELICE. 

it,  and  bluish  shadows  beneath  the  large  eyes  that  had  not  closed 
for  twenty-four  hours,  lent  them  a  deeper  and  more  'fateful 
glow. 

The  soft  creamy  folds  of  her  Cashmere  robe  were  relieved 
at  the  throat  by  a  knot  of  lilac  ribbon,  and  amid  its  loops  were 
secured  clusters  of  violets,  that  matched  in  hue  the  long  spike 
of  hyacinth  which  was  fastened  in  one  side  of  the  coiled  hair, 
twined  just  behind  the  ear,  and  drooped  low  on  the  snowy 
neck.  Before  her  on  a  gilded  stand,  was  the  purple  pyramid  of 
flowers  she  had  brought  from  the  theatre,  and  beside  them  lay 
several  perfumed  envelopes  with  elaborate  monograms.  These 
notes  contained  tributes  of  praise  from  strangers  who  had  been 
fascinated  by  her  "  Amy  Robsart,"  and  begged  the  honor  of 
an  interview,  or  the  favor  of  a  "  photograph  taken  in  the  silken 
cymar  which  so  advantageously  displayed  the  symmetry  of  her 
figure." 

Among  the  latter,  she  had  recognized  the  handwriting  of  Mr. 
Laurance,  though  the  signature  was  "  Jules  Duval,"  and  her 
fingers  had  shrunk  from  the  folds  of  rose  paper,  as  though 
scorched  by  flame.  Lying  there  on  the  top  of  the  billets-doux^ 
the  elegant  graceful  chirography  of  the  "  Madame  Odille  Orme" 
drew  her  gaze,  like  the  loathsome  fascination  of  a  basilisk,  and 
taking  a  package  of  notes  from  her  pocket,  she  held  them  for  a 
moment  close  to  the  satin  envelope.  Upon  one,  the  name  of 
the  popular  Actress, — on  the  others — in  the  same  peculiar 
beautiful  characters, — "Minnie  Merle."  She  put  away  the 
latter,  and  a  flash  of  scorn  momentarily  lighted  her  rigid  face. 

"Craven  as  of  old  !  Too  cowardly  to  boldly  ask  the  thing 
his  fickle  fancy  favors, — he  begs  under  borrowed  names. 
Doubtless  his  courage  wilts  before  his  swarthy,  bold-eyed 
Xantippe,  who  allows  him  scant  latitude  for  flirtations  with 
pretty  actresses.  To  be  thrown  aside, — trampled  down — for 
such  a  creature  as  Abbie  Ames  ! — his  coarse-featured, — dia 
mond-dowered — bride  !  Ah  !  my  veins  run  lava,  when  I  think 
of  her  thick  heavy  lips — pressing  that  haughty  perfect  mouth, 
— where  mine  once  clung  so  fondly  1  Last  night  the  two 


INF  ELI CE.  109 

countenances  seemed  like — '  as  Hyperion  to  a  Satyr  ! '  How 
completely  he  sold  his  treacherous  beauty  to  the  Banker's 
daughter, — whom  to-day  he  would  willingly  betray,  for  a  fairer, 
fresher  face.  Craven  traitor  !  " 

She  passed  her  handkerchief  across  her  lips,  as  if  to  efface 
some  imaginary  stain,  and  they  slowly  settled  back  into  their 
customary  stern  curves. 

Just  then  a  timid  tap  upon  the  door  of  the  reception  room, 
was  followed  almost  simultaneously  by  the  entrance  of  Mrs. 
Waul,  who  held  a  card  in  her  hand. 

"The  waiter  has  just  brought  this  up.  What  answer  shall 
he  take  back  ?  » 

Mrs.  Orme  glanced  at  it,  sprang  to  her  feet,  and  a  vivid  scar 
let  bathed  her  face  and  neck. 

"  Tell  him — No  !  no — no  !  Madame  Orme  begs  to  decline 
the  honor." 

Then  the  crimson  tide  as  suddenly  ebbed, — she  grew  ghastly 
in  her  colorlessness,  and  her  bloodless  lips  writhed,  as  she  called 
after  the  retreating  figure  : 

"  Stop  !     Come  back, — let  me  think." 

She  walked  to  the  window,  and  stood  for  several  moments 
as  still  as  the  bronze  Mercury  on  the  mantel.  When  she  turned 
around,  her  features  were  as  fixed  as  if  they  belonged  to  some 
sculptured  slab  from  Persepolis. 

"  Pray  don't  think  me  weak  and  fickle,  but  indeed  Mrs. 
Waul,  some  of  my  laurels  gash  like  a  crown  of  thorns.  Tell 
the  waiter  to  show  this  visitor  up,  after  five  minutes, — and  then 
I  wish  you  to  come  back  and  sit  with  your  knitting  yonder,  at 
the  end  of  the  room.  And  please  drop  the  curtain  there, — the 
pink  silk  will  make  me  look  a  trifle  less  ghostly,  after  last  night's 
work.  You  see  I  am  disappointed,  I  expected  the  American 
Minister  on  business,  and  he  sends  this  Paris  beau,  to  make 
his  apologies  ; — that  is  all." 

As  the  old  lady  disappeared,  Mrs.  Orme  shuddered,  and  mut 
tered  with  clenched  teeth  : 

"All  have  a  Gethsemane  sooner  or  later, — and  mine  has 


no  INFELICE. 

ovei  taken  me  before  I  am  quite  ready.  God  grant  me  some 
strengthening  Angel ! " 

She  sank  back  into  the  arm-chair,  and  drew  the  oval  gilt  table 
before  her  as  a  barrier, — while  some  inexplicable,  intuitive  im 
pulse  prompted  her  to  draw  from  her  bosom  a  locket  contain 
ing  Regina's  miniature.  Touching  a  spring,  she  looked  at  the 
childish  features  so  singularly  like  those  she  had  seen  the  pre 
vious  evening, — and  when  Mrs.  Waul  returned  and  seated  her 
self  at  the  end  of  the  room, — the  spring  snapped,  the  locket  lay 
in  one  hand,  the  Minister's  card  in  the  other. 

Mrs.  Orme  heard  the  sound  on  the  stairs  and  along  the  hall, — 
the  well-remembered  step.  Amid  the  tramp  of  a  hundred  she 
could  have  singled  it  out, — so  often  in  by-gone  years  had  she 
crouched  under  the  lilacs  that  overhung  the  gate, — listening  for 
its  rapid  approach, — waiting  to  throw  herself  into  the  arms  that 
would  clasp  her  so  fondly;  to-day  that  unaltered  step  smote  her 
ears  like  an  echo  from  the  tomb,  and  for  an  instant  her  heart 
stood  still,  and  she  shut  her  eyes, — but  the  door  swung  back 
and  Mr.  Laurance  stood  upon  the  threshold.  As  he  ad 
vanced,  she  rose,  and  when  he  stood  before  her  with  outstretched 
hand,  she  ignored  it, — merely  rested  her  palm  on  the  table  be 
tween  them  ;  and  glancing  at  the  card  in  her  fingers  said : 

"Mr.  Laurance  I  believe, — introduced  by  the  American 
Minister.  A  countryman  of  mine,  he  writes.  As  such  I  am 
pleased  to  see  you  Sir,  for  when  abroad  the  mere  name  of 
American — is  an  open  sesame  to  American  sympathy  and  hospi 
tality.  Pray  be  seated,  Mr.  Laurance.  Pardon  me,  not  that 
stiff-backed  ancient  contrivance  of  torture,  which  must  have 
been  invented  by  Eymeric.  You  will  find  that  green  velvet 
Voltaire, — like  its  namesake, — far  more  easy,— affording  am 
ple  latitude." 

The  sweet  voice  rung  its  silver  chimes  as  clearly  as  when 
she  trod  the  stage,  and  no  shadow  of  the  past  cast  its  dusky 
wing  over  her  proud  pale  face,  while  she  gracefully  waved  him 
to  a  seat,  and  resumed  her  own. 

"  If  Madame  Orme,  so  recently  from  home,  yields  readily  to 


INFELICE.  in 

the  talismanic  spell  of  'American'  —  she  can  perhaps  imagine 
the  fascination  it  exerts  over  one  who  for  many  years  has 
roamed  far  from  his  roof-tree,  and  his  hearthstone;  but  who 
never  more  proudly  exulted  in  his  nationality  than  last  night, — 
when  as  Queen  of  Tragedy — Madame  lent  new  lustre  to  the 
Land  that  claims  the  honor  of  being  her  birth-place." 

"  Thanks.  Then  I  may  infer  you  paid  me  the  tribute  of 
your  presence  last  evening  ?  " 

They  looked  actpss  the  table,  into  each  other's  eyes,  hers 
radiant  with  a  dangerous  steely  glitter, — his  eloquent  with  the 
intense  admiration  which  kindled  on  the  previous  evening, — 
now  glowed  more  fervently  from  the  contemplation  of  a  beauty 
that  to-day  appeared  ten-fold  more  irresistible.  The  question 
slightly  disconcerted  him. 

"  I  had  the  honor  of  accompanying  our  Minister,  and  sharing 
his  box." 

"  Indeed  ?  I  have  never  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him, 
and  hoped  to  have  seen  him  to-day,  as  he  fixed  this  hour  for 
the  arrangement  of  some  business  details,  concerning  which,  I 
was  advised  to  consult  him.  One  really  cannot  duly  appreci 
ate  American  liberty,  until  one  has  been  trammelled  by  foreign 
formalities  and  Continental  police  quibbles." 

An  incredulous  smile  ambushed  in  his  silky  moustache,  was 
reflected  in  his  fine  eyes,  as  he  recalled  the  flattering  emphasis 
with  which  she  had  certainly  singled  out  his  face,  in  that  vast 
auditory, — and  thoroughly  appreciating  his  munificent  inherit 
ance  of  good  looks,  he  now  imagined  he  fully  interpreted  her 
motive  in  desiring  to  ignore  the  former  meeting. 

"  Doubtless  hundreds  who  shared  with  me  the  delight  you 
conferred  by  your  performance  last  night,  would  be  equally 
charmed  to  possess  my  precious  privilege  of  expressing  my 
unbounded  admiration  of  your  genius ;  but  unfortunately  the 
impression  prevails  that  my  charming  countrywoman  sternly 
interdicts  all  gentleman  visitors, — denies  access  even  to  the 
most  ardent  of  her  worshippers, — and  I  deem  myself  the  most 
supremely  favored  of  men  in  having  triumphantly  crossed  into 


H2  INF E LICE. 

the  enchanted  realm  of  your  presence.     Of  this  flattering  dis 
tinction,  I  confess  I  am  very  proud." 

It  was  a  bold  challenge,  and  sincerely  he  rued  his  rashness, 
when  raising  herself  haughtily,  she  answered  in  a  tone  that 
made  his  cheeks  tingle  : 

"  Unfortunately  your  countrywoman  has  not  studied  human 
nature  so  superficially  as  to  fail  to  comprehend  the  snares  and 
pitfalls  which  men's  egregious  vanity  sometimes  spring  prema^ 
turely ;  and  rumor  quotes  me  aright,  in  proclaiming  me  a 
recluse  when  the  curtain  falls,  and  the  lights  are  extinguished. 
To-day  I  deviated  from  my  usual  custom,  in  compliment  to  the 
representative  of  my  country,  who  sends  you, — so  his  card 
reads — '  charged  with  an  explanation  of  his  unavoidable  ab 
sence.'  As  Minister-extraordinary,  may  1  venture  to  remind 
Mr.  Lauranco  of  his  errand  ?  " 

Abashed  by  the  scornful  gleam  in  her  keen  wide  eyes,  he 
replied  hastily : 

"  A  telegram  from  Pau,  summoned  him  this  morning  to  the 
bedside  of  a  member  of  his  family,  suddenly  attacked  with 
dangerous  illness,  and  he  desired  me  to  assure  you  that  so 
soon  as  he  returned,  he  would  seize  the  earliest  opportunity  of 
congratulating  yoii  upon  your  brilliant  triumph.  In  the  interim 
he  places  at  your  disposal  certain  printed  regulations,  which 
will  supply  the  information  you  desire, — and  which  you  will 
find  in  this  envelope.  May  I  hope  Madame,  that  the  value  of 
the  contents  will  successfully  plead  the  pardon  of  the  auda 
cious — yet  sufficiently  rebuked  messenger?"  He  rose,  and 
with  a  princely  bow,  offered  the  packet. 

Suffering  her  eyes  to  follow  the  motion  of  his  elegantly- 
formed  aristocratic  hand,  now  ungloved, — one  swift  glance 
showed  her  that  instead  of  the  unpretending  slender  gold  cir 
clet  she  had  placed  on  the  little  finger  of  his  left  hand,  the  day 
of  their  marriage, — a  ring  endeared  to  her,  because  it  had  been 
her  Mother's  bridal  pledge, — he  now  wore  a  flashing  diamond, 
in  a  broad  and  costly  setting.  Almost  unconsciously,  her  own 
*eft  hand  glided  to  the  violets  on  her  breast, — beneath  which, 


INFELICE.  II3 

securely  fastened  by  a  strong  gold  chain,  she  wore  the  antique 
cameo  ring,  with  its  grinning  death's-head  resting  upon  her  heart. 

Slightly  inclining  her  head,  she  signed  to  him  to  place  the 
papers  on  the  table,  and  when  he  had  resumed  his  seat,  she 
asked : 

"  How  long  Mr.  Laurance,  since  you  left  America?" 

"  Thirteen  or  fourteen  years  ago ;  yet  the  memories  of  my 
home  are  fresh  and  fragrant  as  though  I  quitted  it  only  yester 
day." 

"  Then  happy  indeed  must  have  been  that  hearthstone, 
whose  rose-colored  reminiscences  linger  so  tenderly  around 
your  heart,  and  survive  the  attrition  of  a  long  residence  in 
Paris.  Your  repertoire  of  charming  memories,  tempts  me 
almost  to  the  verge  of  covetousness.  In  what  portion  of  the 
United  States  did  you  reside  ?  " 

"  My  boyhood  was  spent  in  one  of  the  Middle  States,  where 
my  estate  is  located,  but  my  Collegiate  life  removed  me  to  the 
North,  whence  I  came  immediately  abroad.  My  residence  in 
Europe  confirms  the  belief  that  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  me, 
that  in  beauty,  grace,  and  all  the  nameless  charms  that  consti 
tute  the  perfect,  peerless,  fascinating  woman,  my  own  country 
preeminently  bears  the  palm.  Broad  as  is  her  domain,  and 
noble  her  civil  institutions, — the  crowning  glory  of  America 
dwells  in  her  lovely  and  gifted  women." 

He  had  never  looked  handsomer  than  at  that  moment,  as 
slightly  bending  his  head  in  homage,  his  dangerously  beautiful 
eyes  rested  with  an  unmistakable  expression  upon  the  fault 
less  features  before  him  ; — and  watching  him,  a  cold  smile  broke 
up  the  icy  outline  of  his  companion's  delicate  lips  : 

"  American  beauty  might  question  the  sincerity  of  a  cham 
pion  whose  worship  is  offered  only  at  foreign  shrines,  and  the 
precious  oblation  of  whose  heart  is  laid  on  distant  and  strange 
altars." 

"  Ah  Madam, — neither  at  foreign  shrines,  nor  strange  altars, 
— but  ever  unwaveringly  at  the  feet  of  my  divine  country 
women.  Is  it  needful  thafe  I  recross  the  ocean,  to  bow  before 


II4  INF  ELI  CE. 

the  reigning  muse  ?  Is  it  not  conceded  that  the  brightest, 
loveliest  planet  in  Parisian  skies,  brought  all  her  splendor  from 
my  western  home?" 

"  How  you  barb  with  keen  regret  the  mortifying  reflection 
that  I  alas  !  cannot  as  an  American  lay  claim  to  a  moiety  of 
your  chivalric  allegiance  !  Ill-fated  Odille  Orme  !" 

The  stinging  sarcasm  in  the  liquid  voice  perplexed  him,  and 
the  strange  lambent  light  that  seemed  now  and  then  to  ray  out 
of  the  brilliant  eyes  that  had  never  wandered  from  his,  sent  an 
uncomfortable  thrill  over  him. 

"  Surely  the  world  cannot  have  erred,  in  according  to  my 
own  country  the  honor  of  your  nationality  ?  " 

"  I  was  born  upon  a  French  ship,  in  the  middle  of  the  At 
lantic  Ocean." 

"  Ah  dearest  Madam  !  then  it  is  no  marvel  that  as  you  have 
inherited  the  cestus  of  Aphrodite, — your  votaries  bow  as  blindly, 
as  helplessly  as  those,  over  whom  your  ancient  Greek  mother 
ruled  so  despotically.  By  divine  right  of  birth,  you  should 
reign  as  Odille  Anadyomene." 

"Madame  Odille  Orme  has  abjured  the  pagan  aesthetics  that 
seem  to  trench  rather  closely  upon  Mr.  Laurance's  ethics, — and 
shed  far  too  rosy  an  orientalism  over  his  mind  and  heart ; — 
and  hopes  he  will  not  forget  her  proud  boast  that  by  divine 
right  she  wears  a  dearer,  nobler,  holier  title — Odille  Orme, — 
wife  and  mother." 

Bolder  libertinism  than  found  shelter  in  Mr.  Lawrance's  per 
verted  nature,  would  have  cowered  before  the  pure  face  that 
now  leaned  far  forward,  with  dilated  scornful  eyes  which 
seemed  to  run  like  electric  rays  up  and  down  the  secret  cham 
bers  of  his  heart. 

Involuntarily  he  shrank  back  into  the  depths  of  his  chair, 
and  mutely  questioned,  as  on  the  previous  night, — "where 
have  I  heard  that  voice  before  ?  " 

With  some  difficulty  he  recovered  himself,  and  said  hastily : 

"  Will  you  forgive  me  if  I  tell  you  frankly,  that  ever  since  I 
saw  you  last  night,  I  have  been  tantalized  by  a  vague  yet  very 


INF  ELI  CE.  115 

precious  consciousness  that  somewhere — you  and  I  have  met 
before?  When  or  where,  I  cannot  conjecture,  but  of  one 
thing  I  am  painfully  certain, — we  can  never  be  strangers 
henceforth.  Some  charm  in  your  voice, — in  the  expression  of 
your  eyes — when  as  '  Amy  Robsart '  the  loving  woman,  you 
looked  so  fondly  into  your  'Leicester's'  face, — awoke  dim 
memories,  that  will  never  sleep  again.  Happy, — enviable 
indeed — that  Leicester  who  really  rules  the  empire  of  your 
love." 

Tightening  the  clasp  of  her  palms  which  enclosed  the  little 
gold  locket  containing  the  image  of  their  child, — a  wintry 
smile  broke  over  her  white  face,  lending  it  that  mournful  glim 
mer  which  fading  moonlight  sheds  on  some  silent  cenotaph  in 
a  cemetery. 

"  If  my  stage  tricks  of  glance  or  tone,  my  carefully  studied 
and  practised  attitudes  and  modulations — recall  some  neglected 
memories  of  your  sunny  past,  let  me  hope  that  Mr.  Laurance 
links  me  with  the  holy  associations  that  cluster  about  a 
mother's  or  a  sister's  sacred  features  ; — reviving  the  earlier 
years,  when  he  offered  at  the  shrine  of  friendship,  of  honor,  and 
of  genius, — tributes  too  sincere  to  admit  the  glozing  varnish  of 
fulsome  fashionable  adulation,  which  degrades  alike  the  lips 
that  utter,  and  the  ears  that  listen.  If  at  some  period  in  the 
mysterious  future,  you — whom — because  my  countryman — I 
reluctantly  consented  to  receive, — should  really  discover  a 
noble  lovely  woman  before  whose  worth  and  beauty,  that  fickle 
heart  you  call  your  own,  utterly  surrenders, — and  whom  win 
ning  as  wife,  and  cherishing  as — only  husbands  can  the  dar 
lings  they  worship, — you  were  finally  torn  away  from — by  in 
exorable  death— the  only  power  that  can  part  husbands  and 
wives, — then  think  you  Mr.  Laurance,  that  the  universe  holds 
a  grave  deep  enough  to  keep  you  quiet  in  your  coffin — if  vain! 
heartless  men  profaned  her  sacred  widowhood  by  such  utter-'- 
unces  as  you  presume  to  offer  me  ?  The  stage  is  the  arena, 
where  in  gladiatorial  combat  I  wage  my  battle  with  the  beasts 
of  Poverty  and  Want, — there  I  receive  the  swelling  aeclama- 


n6  INF E  LICE. 

tions  of  triumph, — or  the  pelting  hisses  of  defeat; — there  before 
the  footlights  where  I  toil  for  my  bread,  I  am  a  legitimate  de 
fenceless  target  for  artistic  criticism  ; — but  outside  the  pre 
cincts  of  the  theatre,  I  hold  myself  as  sacred  from  the  world  as 
if  I  stood  in  stone  upon  an  altar  behind  some  convent's  bars, 
— and  as  a  lonely  sorrow-stricken  mother  widowed  of  the 
father  of  my  child, — bereft  of  a  husband's  tenderly  jealous 
guardianship, — I  have  a  right  to  claim  the  profound  respect, 
the  chivalric  courtesy,  which  every  high-toned — honorable  gen 
tleman  accords  to  worthy  stainless  women.  Because  as  an 
Actress  I  barter  my  smiles  and  tears  for  food  and  raiment  for 
my  fatherless  child, — it  were  not  quite  safe  to  imagine  that  I 
share  the  pagan  tendencies  which  appear  to  have  smitten  some 
of  my  countrymen  with  moral  leprosy." 

The  words  seemed  to  burst  forth  like  a  mountain  cataract 
long  locked  in  snow,  which  melting  suddenly  under  some  un 
seasonable  fiery  influence,  falls  in  an  impetuous  icy  torrent, — 
bearing  the  startling  chill  of  winter  into  flowery  meadows,  where 
tender  verdure  sown  thick  with  primroses  and  daisies  smiles 
peacefully  in  summer  sunshine. 

Twice  the  visitor  half  rose  and  essayed  to  speak,  but  that 
deep  steady  voice  bore  down  all  interruption,  and  as  he  watched 
her,  Mr.  Laurance  just  then,  would  have  given  the  fortune  of 
the  Rothschilds  for  the  privilege  of  folding  in  his  own,  the  per 
fect  hands  that  lay  clasped  on  the  marble  slab. 

While  her  extraordinary  beauty  moved  his  heart  as  no  other 
woman  had  yet  done,  the  stern  bitterness  of  her  rebuke  ap 
pealed  to  the  latent  chivalry,  and  slumbering  nobility  of  his 
worldly  soul.  Looking  upon  his  flushed  handsome  face,  inter 
preting  its  eloquent  varying  expressions,  by  the  aid  of  glancing 
lights  which  memory  snatched  from  long  gone  years, — she  saw 
the  struggle  in  his  dual  nature,  and  hurried  on ; — warned  by  the 
powerful  magnetism  of  his  almost  invincible  eyes,  that  the 
melting  spell  of  the  Past  was  twining  its  relaxing  fingers  about 
the  barred  gateway  of  her  own  throbbing  heart. 

"  Trained  in  the  easy  school  of  latitudinarianism  so  fashion- 


INF  ELI  CE.  117 

able  nowaday — on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  doubtless  Mr.  Lau- 
rance  deems  his  adopted  countrywoman  a  nervous  puritanical 
prude ;  and  upon  my  primitive  and  well-nigh  obsolete  ideal  of 
social  decorum  and  propriety, — upon  my  lofty  standard  of 
womanly  delicacy  and  manly  honor, — I  can  patiently  tolerate 
none  of  the  encroachments  with  which  I  have  recently  been 
threatened.  Just  here  Sir,  permit  a  pertinent  illustration  of  the 
impertinence, — that  sometimes  annoys  me." 

Lifting  between  the  tips  of  her  fingers  the  pretty  peach-bloom- 
tinted  note,  whose  accusing  characters  betrayed  the  hand  that 
penned  it,  she  continued,  with  an  outbreak  of  intense  and  over 
whelming  contempt : 

"  Listen — if  you  please, — to  the  turbid  libation  which  some 
rose-lipped  Paris,  some  silk-locked  Sybarite  poured  out  last 
night,  after  leaving  the  theatre.  Under  pretence  of  adding  a 
leaf  to  the  chaplets,  won  by  what  he  is  pleased  to  term  '  divine 
dramatic  genius,' — this  'Jules  Duval'' — let  me  see, — I  would 
not  libel  an  honorable  name, — yes — so  it  is  signed, — this  Jules 
Duval,  this  brainless,  heartless,  soulless  Narcissus,  with  no 
larger  sense  of  honor  than  could  find  ample  waltzing  room  on 
the  point  of  a  cambric  needle, — insolently  avows  his  real  senti 
ments  in  language  that  your  valet  might  address  to  his  favorite 
grisette  ; — and  closes  like  some  ardent  accepted  lover,  with  an 
audacious  demand  for  my  photograph,  '  to  wear  forever  over 
his  fond  and  loyal  heart ! '  That  is  fashionable  homage  to  my 
genius — is  it  ?  I  call  it  an  insult  to  my  womanhood  !  Nay — I 
am  ashamed  to  read  it !  'Twould  stain  my  cheeks,  soil  my  lips, 
• — dishonor  your  gentlemanly  ears.  Mr.  Laurance  if  ever  you 
should  become  a  husband,  and  truly  love  the  woman  you  make 
your  wife,  you  will  perhaps  comprehend  my  feelings — when 
some  gay  unprincipled  gallant  profanes  the  sanctity  of  her  re 
tirement,  with  such  unpardonable,  such  unmerited  insolence." 

She  held  it  up  between  thumb  and  forefinger,  shaking  out 
the  pink  folds  till  the  signature  in  violet  ink,  flaunted  before  the 
violet  eyes  of  its  owner, — then  crushing  it  as  if  it  were  a  cob 
web,  she  tossed  it  toward  the  window. 


n8  IN  FELICE. 

Turning  her  head,  she  said  in  an  altered  and  elevated  tone  : 
"  Mrs.  Waul,  may  I  disturb  you  for  a  moment  ?  " 
The  quiet  figure  clad  in  sober  gray,  and  wearing  a  muslin  cap 
whose  crimped  ruffle  enclosed  in  a  snowy  frame  the  benevolent 
wrinkled  countenance, — came  forward,  knitting  in  hand,  spec 
tacles  on  her  nose, — and  for  the  first  time  the  visitor  became 
aware  of  her  presence. 

"  Please  lower  the  curtain  yonder,  beside  the  etagere^  the  sun 
shines  hot  upon  Mr.  Laurance's  brow.  Then  touch  the  bell, 
and  order  the  carriage  to  be  ready  in  twenty  minutes." 

Humiliated  as  he  had  never  been  before,  Mr.  Laurance 
resolved  upon  one  desperate  attempt  to  regain  the  position, 
his  vanity  had  rashly  forfeited.  Waiting  until  the  Quaker- 
like  duenna  had  retreated  to  her  former  seat,  he  rose  and 
leaned  across  the  small  table, — and  under  his  rich  low  voice, 
and  passionately  pleading  eyes,  the  actress  held  her  breath, 
and  clutched  the  locket  till  its  sharp  edge  sunk  into  her  quiver 
ing  flesh. 

"  You  dismiss  me  as  unworthy  of  your  presence,  and  ac 
knowledging  the  justice  of  your  decree,  I  sincerely  deplore  the 
fatuity  that  prompted  the  offence.  Your  rebuke  was  warranted 
by  my  foolish  presumption,  and  confessing  the  error  into  whicli 
I  was  betrayed  by  your  condescending  notice  last  night, — I 
humbly  and  sorrowfully  solicit  your  generous  forgiveness.  Fer 
vid  flattering  phrases  sorely  belie  my  real  character,  if  sinking 
me  almost  beneath  your  contempt,  you  deem  me  devoid  of  a 
high  sense  of  honor,  or  of  chivalric  devotion  to  noble  womanly 
delicacy.  Madame  Orme  if  your  unparalleled  beauty,  grace, 
and  talent  bewitched  me  into  a  passing  folly,  and  vain  imperti 
nence,  for  which  indeed  I  blush, — your  stern  reproof  recalls  me 
to  my  senses, — to  my  better  nature ; — and  I  beg  that  upon  the 
unsullied  word  of  an  American  gentleman,  you  will  accept  with 
my  apology — the  earnest  assurance  that  in  quitting  this  room, 
I  honor  and  revere  my  matchless  countrywoman  far  more,  than 
when  I  entered  her  noble  presence.  Fashionable  freedom  may 
have  demoralized  my  tongue,  but  by  the  God  above  us,  I  swear 


INFELICE.  119 

it  has  not  blackened  my  heart,  nor  deadened  my  perception  and 
appreciation  of  all  that  constitutes  true  feminine  refinement  and 
purity.  You  have  severely  punished  my  presumptuous  vanity, 
and  now,  will  you  not  mercifully  pardon  a  man,  who  finding 
in  you  the  perfect  fulfilment  of  his  prophetic  dreams  of  lofty 
as  well  as  lovely  womanhood,  humbly  but  most  earnestly 
craves  permission  to  reinstate  himself  in  your  regard ; — to 
attempt  to  win  your  esteem  and  friendship, — which  he  will 
value  far  more  highly  than  the  adoration  of  any — yes,  of  all 
other  women  ?  " 

He  was  so  near  her,  that  she  saw  the  regular  quick  flutter  of 
the  blue  vein  on  his  fair  temples,  and  as  the  musical  mastering 
voice  so  well  remembered, — and  once  so  fondly  loved, — stole 
tenderly  through  the  dark,  lonely,  dreary  recesses  of  her  deso 
late  aching  heart, — it  waked  for  one  instant  a  wild  madden  • 
ing  temptation, — an  intense  longing  to  lift  her  arms,  clasp 
them  around  his  neck, — lean  forward  upon  his  bosom — and  be 
at  rest. 

In  the  weary  years  that  followed,  how  bitterly  she  denounced 
and  deplored  the  fever  of  implacable  revenge  that  held  her 
back,  on  that  memorable  day  ?  Verily  for  each  of  us,  "a  Ne- 
mean  Lion  lies  in  wait  somewhere," — and  a  lost  opportunity 
might  have  cost  even  Hercules  that  tawny  skin  he  wore  as 
trophy. 

Mr.  Laurance  saw  a  slow  dumb  motion  of  the  pale  lips  that 
breathed  no  sound  to  fill  the  verbal  frame  they  mutely  fashioned, 
— "  my  husband  ;  " — and  then  with  a  gradual  drooping  of  the 
heavily  lashed  lids,  the  eyes  closed.  Only  until  one  might  have 
leisurely  counted  five,  was  he  permitted  to  scan  the  wan  face 
in  its  rare  beautiful  repose,  then  again  her  eyes  pitiless  as  fate 
met  his, — so  eager,  so  wistful — and  she  too  rose,  confronting 
him  with  a  cold  proud  smile. 

"  I  fear  Mr.  Laurance  unduly  bemoans  and  magnifies  a  mis 
take,  which — whatever  its  baleful  intent,  has  suffered  in  my 
rude  inhospitable  hands  an  '  untimely  nipping  in  the  bud,' — • 
and  most  in  gloriously  failed  of  consummation.  After  to-day, 


120  INF  ELI  CE. 

the  luckless  incident  of  oui  acquaintance  must  vanish  like  some 
farthing  rushlight  set  upon  a  breezy  down  to  mark  a  hidden 
quicksand ;  for  in  my  future  panorama  I  shall  keep  no  niche 
for  mortifying  painful  days  like  this, — and  you  Sir — amid  the 
rush,  and  glow,  and  glitter  of  this  bewildering  French  capital, 
will  have  little  leisure  and  less  inclination  to  recall  the  unflatter 
ing  failure  of  an  attempted  flirtation  with  a  pretty  but  most  utterly 
heartless  actress, — who  wrung  her  hands, — and  did  high  tragedy, 
— and  stormed  and  wept  for  gold  !  Not  for  perfumed  pink  billets- 
doux, — nor  yet  for  adulation  and  vows  of  deathless  devotion 
from  high-born  gentlemen  handsome  and  heartless  enough  to 
serve  in  Le  Musee  du  Louvre  as  statues  of  Apollo, — but  for 
gold,  Mr.  Laurance  only  for  gold  !  " 

"  Do  not  inexorably  exile  me,  do  not  refuse  my  prayer  for 
the  privilege  of  sometimes  seeing  you.  Permit  me  to  come 
here  and  teach  you  to  believe  in  my " 

"Lej'eurien  vaut  pas  la  chandelle  !  " — she  exclaimed, — with 
a  quick  nervous  laugh  that  grated  grievously  upon  his  ear. 

"Madam  I  implore  you  not  to  deny  me  the  delight  of  an 
occasional  interview." 

A  sudden  pallor  crept  across  his  eager  face,  and  he  at 
tempted  to  touch  the  fair  dimpled  hand,  which  still  grasping 
the  locket,  rested  upon  the  table. 

Aware  of  his  purpose,  she  haughtily  shrank  back,  drew  her 
self  up,  and  folding  her  arms  so  tightly  over  her  breast  that  the 
cameo  ring  pressed  close  upon  her  bounding  heart, — she  looked 
down  on  him  as  from  some  distant  height,  with  an  intensity  of 
quiet  scorn  that  no  language  could  adequately  render, — that 
bruised  his  heart  like  hail-stones. 

"  I  deny  you  henceforth  all  opportunity  of  sinking  yourself 
.still  deeper  in  my  estimation, — of  annoying  me  by  any  future 
demonstrations  of  a  style  of  admiration,  I  neither  desire,  ap 
preciate,  nor  intend  to  permit.  If  accident  should  ever  thrust 
you  again  across  my  path,  you  will  do  well  to  forget  that  our 
Minister  committed  the  blunder  of  sending  you  here  to-day. 
Mr.  Laurance  will  please  accept  my  thanks  for  this  package  of 


INFELICE.  I2i 

papers,  which  shall  be  returned  to-moirow  to  the  office  of  the 
American  Embassy.  Resolved  to  forget  the  unpleasant  inci 
dents  of  to-day,  Madame  Orme  is  compelled  to  bid  you  good 
bye." 

Angry  but  undaunted,  his  eloquent  eyes  boldly  bore  up  under 
hers, — as  if  in  mortal  challenge  ;  and  he  bowed,  with  a  degree 
of  graceful  hauteur,  fully  equal  to  her  own  best  efforts. 

"  Madame's  commands  shall  be  rigidly  and  literally  obeyed, 
for  Cuthbert  Laurance  is  far  too  proud  to  obtrude  his  presence 
or  his  homage  on  any  woman ;  but  Mrs.  Orme's  interdict  does 
not  include  that  public  realm,  where  she  has  repeatedly  assured 
me  that  gold  always  secures  admission  to  her  smiles, — and  from 
which  no  earthly  power  can  debar  me.  Watching  you  from  the 
same  spot,  where  last  night  you  floated  like  an  angelic  dream 
of  my  boyhood, — like  a  glorious  revelation — upon  my  vision 
and  my  heart,  I  shall  defy  the  world  to  mar  the  happiness  in 
store  for  me,  so  long  as  you  remain  in  Paris.  A  distant  but 
devoted  worshipper,  cherishing  the  memory  of  those  thrilling 
glances  with  which  '  Amy  Robsart '  favored  me, — permit  me 
to  wish  Madame  Orme  a  pleasant  ride,  and  good-afternoon." 

He  bent  his  handsome  head  low  before  her,  and  left  the  room 
less  like  an  exile  than  a  conqueror,  buoyed  by  an  abiding 
fatalism,  a  fond  faith  in  that  magnetic  influence  and  fascination 
he  had  hitherto  successfully  exerted  over  all,  whom  his  wayward, 
fickle,  fastidious  fancy  had  chosen  to  enslave. 

When  the  sound  of  his  retreating  footsteps  was  no  longer  audi 
ble,  the  slender  white-robed  figure  moved  unsteadily  across  the 
floor,  entered  the  adjoining  dressing-room,  and  locked  the  door. 

The  play  was  over  at  last,  the  long  tension  of  nerve,  the  iron 
strain  on  brain  and  heart,  the  steel  manacles  on  memory,  all 
snapped  simultaneously  ; — the  actress  was  trampled  out  of 
sight,  and  the  woman, — the  weak,  suffering,  long-tortured 
woman  bowed  down  in  helpless  and  hopeless  agony  before  her 
desecrated  mouldering  altar, — was  alone  with  the  dust  of  her 
overturned  and  crumbling  idol. 

"My  husband!     Oh   God!  Thou  knowest — not  hers, — not 


J22  INF  ELI  CE. 

that  woman's — but  mine  !  all  mine!     My  baby's  father! — my 
Cuthbert — my  own  husband  !" 

"  Oh  past!  past  the  sweet  times  that  I  remember  well! 
Alas  that  such  a  tale  my  heart  can  tell! 
Ah  how  I  trusted  him  !  what  love  was  mine; 
How  sweet  to  feel  his  arms  about  me  twine, 
And  my  heart  beat  with  his  !     What  wealth  of  bliss 
To  hear  his  praises; — all  to  come  to  this, — 
That  now  I  durst  not  look  upon  his  face — 
Lest  in  my  heart  that  other  thing  have  place — 
That  which  men  call  hate  !" 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

jONSENSE  Elise  !  She  is  but  a  child  and  I  beg  you 
will  not  prematurely  magnify  her  into  a  woman. 
There  are  so  few  unaffected,  natural  children  in 
generation,  that  it  is  as  refreshing  to  contemplate  oui 
little  girl's  guileless  purity  and  ingenuous  simplicity,  as  to  gaze 
upon  cool  green  meadows  on  a  sultry,  parching  August  day. 
Keep  her  a  child,  let  her  alone." 

Mr.  Hargrove  wiped  his  spectacles  with  his  handkerchief,  and 
replaced  them  on  his  Roman  nose,  with  the  injured  air  of  a  man 
who  having  been  interrupted  in  some  favorite  study,  to  take 
cognizance  of  an  unexpected,  unwelcome  and  altogether  un 
pleasant  fact, — majestically  refuses  to  inspect,  and  dogmatically 
waves  it  aside,  as  if  to  ignore — were  to  annihilate. 

"  Now  Peyton,  for  a  sensible  man,' — (to  say  nothing  of  the 
astute  philosopher  and  the  erudite  theologian,)  you  certainly  do 
indulge  in  the  most  remarkable  spasms  of  wilful,  obstinate,  pre 
meditated  blindness.  You  need  not  stare  so  desperately  at  that 
page,  for  I  intend  to  talk  to  you, — and  it  is  useless  to  try  to  snub 
either  me  or  my  facts.  Regina  is  young  I  know,  not  quite  four 
teen,  but  she  is  more  precocious,  more  mature,  than  many  girls 


INFELICE.  123 

are  at  sixteen  ;  and  you  seem  to  forget  that  having;  always  associ 
ated  with  grown  people,  she  has  imbibed  their  ideas  and  caught 
their  expressions,  instead  of  the  more  juvenile  forms  of  thought 
and  speech  usual  in  children  who  live  among  children.  She 
has  as  far  outgrown  jumping-ropes,  as  you  have  tops  and  kites, 
and  has  no  more  relish  for  fairy  tales,  than  your  Reverence  has 
for  base-ball,  or  my  Bishop  here,  for  marbles.  Suppose  last 
October  I  had  sprinkled  a  paper  of  lettuce-seed  in  the  open 
border  of  the  garden,  and  on  the  same  day  you  had  sown  a  lot 
of  lettuce  in  the  hot-beds  against  the  brick  wall,  where  all  the 
sunshine  falls  ?  Would  you  refuse  your  crisp,  tempting,  forced 
salad,  because  it  had  reached  perfection  so  rapidly  ?  " 

"  Mother  do  you  intend  us  to  understand  that  Regina  is  very 
tender,  and  very  verdant  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Lindsay,  looking  up  from 
a  grammar  that  lay  open  before  him. 

"  I  intend  you  Sir,  to  study  your  Hindustanee,  and  your 
Tamil,  while  I  experiment  upon  the  value  of  analogical  reason 
ing,  in  my  discussions- with  your  uncle.  Now  Peyton,  you  see 
that  child's  mind  has  been  for  nearly  four  years  in  an  intellectual 
hot-bed,— sunned  in  the  light  of  religion, — moistened  with  the 
dew  of  philosophy, — cultivated  systematically  with  the  prongs 
£nd  hoes  of  regular  study,  of  example  and  precept ; — and  being 
a  vigorous  sprout  when  she  was  transplanted,  she  has  made  good 
use  of  her  opportunities, — and  behold  !  early  mental  salad,  and 
very  fine  !  You  men  theorize,  ratiocinate,  declaim,  dogmatize 
about  abstract  propositions,  and  finally  get  your  feet  tangled  and 
stumble  over  facts  right  under  your  noses, — that  women  would 
never  fail  to  pick  up  and  put  aside.  The  soul  of  Thales  pos 
sesses  you  all, — whereas  we  who  sit  at  the  cradle,  and  guide 
the  little  tottering  feet,  study  the  ground  and  sweep  away  the 
stumbling-blocks.  Day  after  day,  you  and  Douglass  discuss  all 
kinds  of  scientific  theories, — and  quote  pagan  authorities  and 
infidel  systems  in  the  presence  of  Regina, — who  sits  in  her  low 
chair  over  there  in  the  corner  of  the  fireplace,  as  quiet  as  a 
white  mouse ; — listening  to  every  word,  though  Hans  Christian 
Andersen  lies  open  on  her  lap, — and  scarcely  winking  those 


124  INPELICE. 

blue  eyes  of  hers,  that  are  as  solemn  as  if  they  belonged  fo  the 
Judges  of  Israel.  If  a  child  is  raised  in  a  carpenter's  shop,  with 
all  manner  of  sharp,  dangerous,  often  two-edged  tools  scattered 
around  in  every  direction,  who  wonders  that  the  little  fingers  are 
prematurely  gashed  and  scarred  ?  You  and  Douglass  imagine 
she  is  dreaming  about  the  number  of  elves  that  dance  on  the 
greensward  on  moonlight  nights, — or  the  spangles  on  their  lace 
wings  ; — or  that  she  is  studying  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  the 
Capital  of  the  last  Territory — which  Congress  elevated  to  the 
uncertain  and  tormenting  dignity  of  nominal  self-government, — 
that  once — (vide  'obsolete  civil  hallucinations')  inhered  in  an 
American  State  ; — or  perhaps  you  believe  the  child  is  longing 
for  a  pot  of  sugar  candy?  Then  rub  your  eyes,  you  ecclesiasti 
cal  bats,  and  let  me  show  you  the  'outcome'  of  all  this  wise 
and  learned  chat,  with  which  you  edify  one  another.  You  know 
she  beguiled  me  into  giving  her  lessons  on  the  organ,  as  well  as 
the  piano,  and  yesterday  when  I  went  over  to  the  Church  at 
instruction  hour,  I  was  astonished  at  a  prelude,  which  she  had 
evidently  improvised.  Screened  from  her  view,  I  listened  till 
she  finished  playing.  Of  course  I  praised  her,  (for  really  she 
has  remarkable  talent,)  and  asked  her  when  she  began  to  com 
pose,  to  improvise.  Now  what  do  you  suppose  she  answered  ? 
A  brigade  of  Philadelphia  lawyers  could  never  guess.  She 
looked  at  me  very  steadily,  and  said  as  nearly  as  I  can  quote 
her  words:  *I  really  don't  know  exactly  when  I  began,  but  I 
suppose  a  long  time  ago,  when  I  wore  brown  feathers,  and  went 
to  sleep  with  my  head  under  my  wing,  as  all  nightingales  do.' 
said  I:  'What  upon  earth  do  you  mean?'  She  replied1 
'  Why  of  course  I  mean  when  I  was  a  nightingale, — before  I 
grew  to  be  a  human  being.  Didn't  you  hear  Mr.  Hargrove  last 
week  reading  from  that  curious  book,  in  which  so  many  queer 
things  were  told  about  transmigration,  and  how  the  soul  of  a 
musical  child  came  from  the  nightingale,  the  sweetest  of  singers  ? 
And  don*,t  you  recollect  Mr.  Lindsay  said  that  Plato  believed 
it ;  and  that  Plotinus  taught  that  people  who  lead  pure  lives  and 
yet  love  music  to  excess,  go  into  the  bodies  of  melodious  birds 


INF  ELI  CE.  125 

when  they  die  ?  Just  now  when  I  played,  I  was  wondering  how 
a  nightingale  felt,  swinging  in  a  plum  tree  all  white  with  fra 
grant  bloom, — and  watching  the  cattle  cropping  buttercups 
and  dandelions  in  the  field.  Mrs.  Lindsay,  if  my  soul  is  not 
perfectly  fresh  and  brand-new,  I  hope  it  never  went  into  a 
human  body  before  mine, — because  I  would  much  rather  it  came 
straight  to  me  from  a  sweet  innocent  bird." 

"Surely  Elise,  you  are  as  usual,  jesting?"  evr.lq.imed  her 
brother. 

"  On  the  contrary  I  assure  you  I  neither  magnify  nor  embel 
lish.  I  am  merely  stating  unvarnished  facts,  that  you  may 
thoroughly  understand  into  what  fertile  soil  your  scattered 
grains  of  learning  fall.  I  promise  you,  with  moderate  cultiva 
tion  it  will  yield  an  hundredfold." 

"  Mother  what  did  you  say  to  her,  by  way  of  a  dose  of  ortho 
doxy  to  antidote  the  metempsychosis  poison  ? "  asked  Mr. 
Lindsay,  who  could  not  forbear  laughing,  at  the  astonished  ex 
pression  of  his  uncle's  countenance. 

"  At  first  I  was  positively  dumb, — and  stared  at  the  child, 
very  much  as  I  daresay — Mahamaia  did, — when  her  boy  Arddha- 
Chiddi  stood  upon  his  feet  and  spoke  five  minutes  after  his 
entrance  into  this  world  of  woe, — or  when  at  five  months  of 
age  he  sat  unsupported  in  the  air.  Then  I  shook  her,  and 
asked  if  she  had  gone  to  sleep  and  dreamed  she  was  a  bulbul 
feeding  on  rose  leaves  ; — whereupon,  she  looked  gravely  digni 
fied,  and  when  I  proceeded  to  reason  with  her  concerning  the 
absurdity  of  the  utterly  worn-out-doctrine  of  transmigration, 
how  do  you  suppose  she  met  me  ?  With  the  information  that 
far  from  being  a  worn-out  doctrine,  learned  and  scientific  men 
now  living  were  reviving  it  as  the  truth  ;  and  that  whereas 
Christianity  was  only  eighteen  hundred  years  old, — that  metem 
psychosis  had  been  believed  for  twenty-nine  centuries,  and  at 
this  day  numbers  more  followers,  by  millions,  than  any  other 
religion  in  the  world.  I  inquired  how  she  learned  all  this 
foolish  fustian,  and  with  an  indescribable  mixture  of  pride,  pity, 
and  triumph,  as  if  she  realized  that  she  was  throwing  Mont 


126  INF  ELI  CE. 

Blanc  at  my  head,  she  mentioned  you  two  eminently  evangeli 
cal  guides,— from  whose  infallible  lips  she  had  gleaned  her 
knowledge.  As  for  you,  Douglass,  I  suggest  you  abandon 
Oriental  studies,  forego  the  dim  hope  of  martyrdom  in  India,  and 
begin  your  missionary  labors  at  home.  My  dear,  the  Buddhist 
is  at  your  own  door.  Now  Peyton  how  do  you  relish  the  flavor 
of  your  philosophical  salad  ?  " 

"I am  afraid  I  have  been  culpably  thoughtless  in  introducing 
to  her  mind,  various  doctrines  and  theories,  which  I  never  imag 
ined  she  could  comprehend,  or  would  even  ponder  for  a  moment. 
Since  my  sight  has  become  so  impaired  and  feeble,  I  have 
several  times  called  on  her  to  read  some  articles  which  certainly 
are  no!  healthful  pabulum  for  a  child,  and  my  conversations 
with  Douglass,  relative  to  scientific  theories  have  been  carried  on 
unreservedly  in  her  presence.  I  am  very  glad  you  warned  me." 

"  And  I  am  exceedingly  sorry,  if  the  effect  of  my  mother's 
words  should  be  to  hamper  and  cramp  the  exercise  of  Regina's 
faculties.  Free  discussion  should  be  dreaded  only  by  hypo 
crites  and  fanatics,  and  after  all,  it  is  the  best  crucible  for  elim 
inating  the  false  from  the  true.  Does  the  contemplation  of 
physical  monstrosities  engender  a  predilection  or  affection  for 
deformity  ?  Does  it  not  rather  by  contrast  with  sympathy  and 
perfect  proportion  heighten  the  power  and  charm  of  the  latter  ? 
The  beauty  of  truth  is  never  so  invincible  as  when  confronted 
with  sophistry  or  falsehood  ;  just  as  youth  and  health  seem 
doubly  fair  and  precious,  in  the  presence  of  trembling  decrepi 
tude  and  revolting  disease." 

"  Really  Bishop  !  I  thought  you  had  passed  the  sophomoric 
stage,  and  it  is  a  shameful  waste  of  dialectic  ammunition  to 
throw  your  antitheses  at  me.  According  to  your  doctrine, 
America  ought  to  buy  up  and  import  all  the  deformed  unfortu 
nates  who  are  annually  exposed  in  China,  in  order  that  our  peo 
ple  should  properly  appreciate  the  superiority  of  sound  limbs, 
and  the  value  of  the  five  senses  ;  and  healthy  young  people 
should  throng  the  lazarettos  and  alms-houses,  to  learn  the  nature 
of  their  own  advantages.  Is  it  equally  desirable  that  wise  men 


IN  FELICE.  127 

like  you  and  Peyton  should  accustom  yourselves  to  the  society 
of — well — I  use  polite  diction, — of  imbeciles,  of  '  innocents ' 
— in  order  to  set  a  true  value  on  learning  and  your  own  astute 
logic  ?  " 

"  My  dear  little  mother,  you  chop  your  logic  so  furiously 
with  a  broad  axe,  that  you  darken  the  air  with  a  hurricane  of 
chips  and  splinters.  Like  all  ladies  who  attempt  to  argue,  you 
rush  into  the  rcductio  ad  absurdum,  and  find  it  impossible  to 
discriminate  between  " 

"  Wisdom  and  conceit  ?  Bless  you  Bishop, — observation  has 
taught  me  all  the  shades  and  delicate  gradations  of  that  differ 
ence.  We  women  no  more  mistake  the  latter  for  the  former, 
ihan  the  gods  who  declined  to  turn  cannibal  when  they  went 
<»o  dine  with  Tantalus,  and  were  offered  a  fricassee  of  Pelops. 
Now  I  " 

"  Ceres  did  eat  of  it  !"  exclaimed  her  son,  adroitly  avoiding 
a  tweak  of  the  ear,  by  throwing  his  head  back,  beyond  the 
touch  of  her  fingers. 

"  A  wretched  pagan  fable  Sir, — with  which  orthodox  Bishops 
should  hold  no  communion.  Tell  me,  you  beardless  Gamaliel, 
where  you  accumulated  your  knowledge  relative  to  the  educa 
tion  of  girls  ?  Present  us  a  chart  of  your  experience.  You  talk 
of  hampering  and  cramping  Regina's  faculties,  as  if  I  had  put 
her  brains  in  a  pair  of  stays,  and  daily  tightened  the  lacers." 

"  I  am  inclined  to  think  the  usual  forms  of  female  education 
have  precisely  that  effect.  The  fact  is  mother,  it  appears  that 
women  in  this  country  are  expected  to  become  the  reserve 
magazines  of  piety,  of  religious  fervor, — on  the  certainly  pow 
erful  principle  that  "  ignorance  is  the  mother  of  devotion." 
True  knowledge  which  springs  from  fearless  investigation,  is  a 
far  nobler,  and  mere  reliable  conservator  of  pure  vital  Christi 
anity." 

"  Exempli  gratia, — Miss  Martineau  and  Madame  Dudevant, 
who  are  crowned  heads  among  the  cognoscenti  ?  Or  perhaps 
you  would  prefer  a  second  'La  Pelouse, '  governed  by  Miss 
Weber,  who  certainly  agrees  with  you,  *  that  girls  are  trained 


I28  IXFELICE. 

too  delicately  to  allow  the  mind  to  expand.'  Illuminated  and 
expanded  by  '  philosophy '  and  '  social  progress '  she  and 
Madame  Dudevant  long  ago  literally  abjured  stays,  and  glory 
in  the  usurpation  of  vests,  pantaloons,  coats,  and  short  hair. 
Be  pleased  to  fancy  my  Regina, — my  blue-eyed  snow-bird,  shorn 
of  that 

*  Gloriole  of  ebon  locks  on  calmed  brows '  1 

I  would  rather  see  her  in  her  coffin ; — shrouded  in  a  ruffled 
pinafore/' 

''  Much  as  I  love  her,  so  would  I ;  but  Elise  we  will  antici 
pate  no  such  dreadful  destiny.  She  has  a  clear  fine  mind,  is 
studious  and  ambitious,  but  certainly  not  a  genius, — unless  it 
be  in  music  ;  and  she  can  be  trained  into  a  cultivated  refined 
woman,  sufficiently  conversant  with  the  sciences  to  comprehend 
their  contemporaneous  development,  without  threatening  us 
with  pedantry,  or  adopting  a  style  suitable  to  the  groves  of 
Crotona  in  the  days  of  Damo, — or  the  abstruse  mystical  diction 
that  doomed  Hypatia  to  the  mercy  of  the  monks.  After  all, 
why  scare  up  a  blue-stockinged  ogre,  which  may  have  no  in 
tention  of  depredating  upon  our  peace  ; — for  to  be  really  learned 
is  no  holiday  amusement  in  this  cumulative  age,  and  offers  little 
temptation  to  a  young  girl.  Not  long  since,  I  found  a  sentence 
bearing  upon  this  subject,  which  impressed  itself  upon  my  mind, 
as  both  strong  and  healthy  :  'And  by  this  you  may  recognize 
true  education  from  false.  False  education  is  a  delightful  thing, 
and  warms  you,  and  makes  you  every  day  think  more  of  your 
self  ;  and  true  education  is  a  deadly  cold  thing,  with  a  Gorgon's 
head  on  her  shield,  and  makes  you  every  day  think  worse  of 
yourself.  Worse  in  two  ways  also,  more  is  the  pity ; — it  is  per 
petually  increasing  the  personal  sense  of  ignorance, — and  the 
.personal  sense  of  fault.'  " 

"  Jn  that  event,  may  I  venture  to  wonder  where  and  how  you 
and  Douglass  stand  in  your  own  estimation  ?  If  quotations  are 
en  rcglt'j  1  can  match  your  Reverence, — though  unfortunately 
my  feminine  memory  is  not  like  yours — a  tireless  beast  of 
burden, —  and  I  must  be  allowed  to  read.  Here  is  the  book  close 


INF  ELI  CE.  I29 

at  hand,  in  my  stocking  basket.  Now  wise  and  gentle  Sirs,  this 
is  my  ideal  of  proper,  healthful,  feminine  education,  as  con 
trasted  with  our  new-fangled  method  of  making  girls  either  lay- 
figures  for  millinery,  jewelry,  and  frizzed  false  hair, — or  else — 
far  more  horrible  still, — social  hermaphrodites,  who  storm  the 
posts  that  have  been  assigned  to  men  ever  since  that  venerable 
and  sacred  time  when  *  Adam  delved  and  Eve  span,' — and 
who  forsaking  holy  home  haunts,  wage  war  against  nature  on 
account  of  the  mistake  made  in  their  sex, — and  clamor  for  the 
'hallowed  inalienable  right'  to  jostle  and  be  jostled  at  the 
polls  ;  to  brawl  in  the  market  place,  and  to  rant  on  the  rostrum, 
like  a  bevy  of  bedlamites.  Now  when  I  begin  to  read,  listen, 
and  tell  me  frankly — whether  when  you  both  make  up  your 
minds  to  present  me,  one  a  sister, — the  other  a  daughter, — you 
will  select  your  wives  from  among  quaint  Evelyn's  almost  obso 
lete  type, — or  whether  you  will  commit  your  name,  affections, 
wardrobe,  larder,  pantry  and  poultry  to  a  strong-minded  female 
'scientist' — who  will  neglect  your  socks  and  buttons,  to  ascer 
tain  exactly  how  many  Vibrio?ies  and  Bacteria  float  in  a  drop 
of  fluid, — and  when  you  come  home  tired  and  very  hungry,  will 
comfort  you,  and  nobly  atone  for  the  injury  of  an  ill-cooked  and 
worse-served  dinner, — by  regaling  your  weary  ears  with  her  own 
ingenious  and  brilliant  interpretation  and  translation  of  jfclia 
Lalia  Crispis  !  Here  is  my  old-fashioned  English  damsel,  meek 
as  a  violet,  fresh  as  a  dewy  daisy,  and  sweet  as  a  bed  of  thyme 
and  marjoram.  *  The  style  and  method  of  life  are  quite 
changed,  as  well  as  the  language,  since  the  days  of  our  ances 
tors,  simple  and  plain  as  they  were,  courting  their  wives  for 
their  modesty, — frugality,  keeping  at  home,  good  housewifery, 
and  other  economical  virtues  then  in  reputation.  And  when 
the  young  damsels  were  taught  all  these  at  home  in  the  country 
at  their  parents'  houses ;  the  portion  they  brought  being  more  in 
virtue  than  money, — she  being  a  richer  match  than  any  one  who 
could  bring  a  million,  and  nothing  else  to  commend  her.  The 
virgins  and  young  ladies  of  that  golden  age,  put  their  hands  to  the 
spindle,  nor  disdained  the  needle ;  were  obsequious  and  helpful 
6* 


130  INFELICE. 

to  their  parents,  instructed  in  the  management  of  the  family,  and 
gave  presage  of  making  excellent  wives.  Their  retirements  were 
devout  and  religious  books,  their  recreations  in  the  distillery  and 
knowledge  of  plants  and  their  virtues  for  the  comfort  of  their  poor 
neighbors,  and  use  of  the  family,  which  wholesome  diet  and 
kitchen  physic  preserved  in  health.  Then  things  were  natural, 
plain  and  wholesome  ;  nothing  was  superfluous, — nothing  neces 
sary  wanted.  The  poor  were  relieved  bountifully,  and  charity 
was  as  warm  as  the  kitchen,  where  the  fire  was  perpetual.'  Now 
if  Regina  were  only  my  child,  I  should  with  some  modifications, 
train  her  after  this  mellow  old  style." 

"  Then  I  am  truly  thankful  she  is  not  my  sister  !  Fancy  her 
pretty  pearly  fingers  encrusted  with  gingerbread-dough ;  or 
her  entrance  into  the  library  heralded  by  the  perfume  of  moly, 
—or  of  basil  and  sage, — tolerable  only  as  the  familiars  of  a 
dish  of  sausage  meat !  Don't  soil  my  dainty  white  dove  with 
the  dust  and  soot  and  rank  odors  that  belong  to  the  culinary 
realm." 

"Your  white  dove?  Do  you  propose  to  adopt  her?  A 
month  hence  when  you  are  on  your  way  to  India,  what  differ 
ence  can  it  possibly  make  to  you,  whether  she  is  as  brown  as  a 
quail  or  black  as  a  crow  ?  Before  you  come  back,  she  will 
have  been  conscripted  into  the  staid  army  of  matrons,  and 
transmogrified  into  stout  Mrs.  Ptolemy  Thomson, — or  lean  and 
careworn  Mrs.  Simon  Smith, — or  worse  than  all — erudite  Mrs. 
Professor  Belshazzar  Brown, —  spelling  Hercules  after  the 
learned  style,  with  the  loss  of  the  u,  and  the  substitution  of  a 
k ; — or  making  the  ghost  of  Ulysses  tear  his  hair,  by  writing 
the  name  of  his  enchantress  'Kirke'  !" 

As  Mrs.  Lindsay  spoke,  the  smile  vanished  from  her  lips, 
and  looking  keenly  at  her  son's  countenance  she  detected  the 
change  that  crossed  it,  the  sudden  glow  that  mounted  to  the 
edge  of  his  hair. 

Avoiding  her  eyes,  he  answered  hastily : 

"  Suppose  those  distinguished  gentlemen  you  mention, 
chance  to  be  scholars,  savans,  and  disposed  to  follow  the  ad- 


INFELICE.  131 

vice  of  Joubert  in  making  their  matrimonial  selection:  'We 
should  choose  for  a  wife  only  the  woman  we  should  choose  for 
a  friend,  were  she  a  man.'  Think  you  mere  habits  of  domes 
ticity,  or  skill  in  herbalism  would  arrest  and  fix  their  fancy  ?  " 

''But  Bishop,  they  might  consider  the  Talmud  more  vener 
able  authority  than  Joubert,  and  the  Talmud  says — so  I  am 
told :  — '  Descend  a  step  in  choosir.g  a  wife  ;  mount  a  step  in 
choosing  a  friend.' " 

"  Thank  heavien  !  there  is  indeed  no  Salique  Law  in  the 
realm  of  learning.  Mother  I  believe  one  of  the  happiest  augu 
ries  of  the  future,  consists  in  the  broadening  views  of  educa 
tion  that  are  now  held  by  some  of  our  ablest  thinkers.  If  in 
the  morning  of  our  religious  system,  St.  Peter  deemed  it  ob 
ligatory  on  us  to  be  able  and  '  ready  always  to  give  an  an 
swer  to  every  man  that  asketh  you  a  reason  of  the^iope  that  is 
in  you,' — how  doubly  imperative  is  that  duty  in  this  controver 
sial  age, — when  the  popular  formula  has  been  adopted,  '  to 
doubt,  to  inquire,  to  discover ;' — when  the  hammer  of  the  geol 
ogist  pounds  into  dust  the  idols  of  tradition, — and  the  lenses 
of  astronomy  pierce  the  blue  wastes  of  space,  which  in  our 
childhood  we  fondly  believed  were  the  habitat  of  cherubim  and 
seraphim.  Now  mother  if  you  will  only  insure  my  ears  against 
those  pink  tweezers, — of  which  they  bear  stinging  recollections, 
— I  should  like  to  explain  myself." 

Mrs.  Lindsay  plunged  her  hands  into  the  depths  of  her 
stocking  basket,  and  said  sententiously  : 

"  The  temple  of  Janus  is  closed." 

"  What  is  the  origin  of  the  doctrine  that  erudition  is  the  sole 
prerogative  of  men,  and  that  it  proves  as  dangerous  in  a 
woman's  hands,  as  phosphorus  or  gunpowder  in  those  of  a 
baby" 

"Why  Eve's  experience,  of  course.       A  ton  of  gunpowder- 
would  not  have  blown  up  the  garden  of  Eden  more  effectually, 
than  did  her  light  touch  upon  an  outside  branch  of  the  tree  of 
knowledge.     I  should  say  Genesis  was  acceptable  authority  to 
a  young  minister  of  the  gospel." 


X32  INFELICE. 

"  That  is  a  violation  of  the  truce, — Elise.  You  are  skirmish 
ing  with  his  picket  line.  Go  on  Douglass."  ' 

"  It  is  evidently  a  remnant  of  despotic  barbarism,  a  fungoid 
growth  from  Oriental  bondage" 

"  Bishop,  may  I  be  allowed  to  ask  if  you  are  referring  to 
Genesis?" 

"  Dear  little  mother,  I  refer  to  the  popular  fallacy,  that  in 
the  same  ratio  that  you  thoroughly  educate  women,  you  unfit 
them  for  the  holy  duties  of  daughter,  wife,  and  mother.  Is 
there  an  inherent  antagonism  between  learning  and  womanli 
ness  ?  " 

"  Indeed  dear,  how  can  I  tell  ?  I  am  not  a  *  Della-Cruscan.' 
I  only  '  strain  '  milk  into  my  dairy  pans." 

"  Elise  do  be  quiet.     You  break  the  thread  of  his  argument" 

"Then  it  is  entirely  too  brittle  to  hold  the  ponderous  prop 
ositions  he  intends  to  string  upon  it.  Proceed  my  son." 

"  Are  we  to  accept  the  unjust  and  humiliating  dogma  that 
the  more  highly  we  cultivate  feminine  intellect,  the  more  un- 
feminine,  unlovely,  unamiable  the  individual  certainly  becomes  ? 
Is  a  woman  sweeter,  more  gentle,  more  useful  to  her  family 
and  friends,  because  she  is  unlearned  ?  Does  knowledge  exert 
an  acidulating  influence  upon  female  temper ;  or — produce  an 
ossifying  effect  on  female  hearts?  Is  ignorance  an  inevitable 
concomitant  of  refinement  and  delicacy  ?  Does  the  knowledge 
of  Greek  and  Latin  cast  a  blight  over  the  flower-garden,  or  a 
mildew  in  the  pantry  and  linen  closet ; — or  do  the  classics  pos 
sess  the  power  of  curdling  all  the  milk  of  human-kindness,  all 
the  streams  of  tender  sympathy  in  a  woman's  nature,  as  rennet 
coagulates  a  bowl  of  sweet  milk  ?  Can  an  acquaintance  with 
literature,  art,  and  science  so  paralyze  a  lady's  energies,  that 
she  is  rendered  utterly  averse  to,  and  incapable  of  performing 
those  domestic  offices,  those  household  duties  so  preeminently 
suited  to  her  slender  dexterous  busy  little  fingers?  Why — my 
own  wise  precious  little  mother  is  a  living  refutation  of  so  grossly 
absurd,  and  monstrous  a  dogma !  Have  not  you  boxed  my 
ears,  because  when  stumbling  through  the  'Anabasis,'  my 


INFELICE.  j3j 

Greek  pronunciation  tortured  your  fastidious  and  correct  taste? 
Did  not  you  tell  me  that  you  read  nearly  the  whole  of  Sallust, 
by  spreading  the  book  open  on  the  dairy  shelf,  while  you 
churned, — thus  saving  time  ?  And  did  not  that  same  sweet 
golden  butter  made  under  the  shadow  of  a  Latin  dictionary — win 
you  the  State  Fair  Premium, — of  that  very  silver  cup,  from  which 
I  drank  my  milk,  as  long  as  I  wore  knee-pants  and  round  jackets  ? 
Was  it  not  my  father's  fond  boast  that  his  wife's  proficiency  in 
music  was  equalled  only  by  her  wonderful  skill  in  making  muf 
fins,  pastry  and  omelette  souffles  1" 

With  genuine  chivalric  tenderness  in  look  and  tone,  he  in 
clined  his  head ;  but  though  a  tear  certainly  glistened  in  Mrs. 
Lindsay's  bright  eyes,  she  answered  gayly  : 

"  Am  I  Cerberus — to  be  coaxed  and  cheated  by  a  well- 
buttered  sop  of  flattery?  Return  to  your  mutton,  reverend 
Sir,  and  know  that  I  am  incorruptible,  and  disdain  to  betray 
my  cause,  for  your  thirty  pieces  of  potent  praise." 

"  I  think,"  said  Mr.  Hargrove  taking  a  bunch  of  cherries 
from  the  fruit-stand  on  the  library  table,  "  I  think  the  whole 
matter  may  be  resolved  into  this ;  the  ambitious  clamors  and 
amazonian  excesses  of  this  epoch,  are  the  inevitable  conse 
quence  of  the  rigid  tyranny  of  former  ages  ;  which  sternly  ban 
ished  women  to  the  numbing  darkness  of  an  intellectual  night, 
denying  them  the  legitimate  and  natural  right  of  developing 
their  faculties  by  untrammelled  exercise.  This  belief  in  femi 
nine  inferiority  is  still  expressed  in  Mohammedan  lands,  by  the 
custom  of  placing  a  slate  or  tablet  of  marble  on  a  woman's 
grave, — while  on  that  of  men  a  pen  or  penholder  is  laid,  to  in 
dicate  that  female  hearts  are  mere  tablets,  on  which  man  writes 
whatever  pleases  him  best.  In  sociology,  as  well  as  physics 
and  dynamics — the  angle  of  reflection  is  always  equal  to  the 
angle  of  incidence, — the  psychologic  rebound  is  ever  in  propor 
tion  to  the  mental  pressure  ;  one  extreme  invariably  impinges 
upon  the  opposite, — and  when  the  pendulum  has  reached  one 
end  of  the  arc,  it  must  of  necessity  swing  back  to  the  other. 
In  all  social  revolutions,  the  moderate  and  reasonable  conces- 


T34  INFELICE.    • 

sions  which  might  have  appeased  the  discontent  in  its  incip- 
iency, — are  gladly  tendered  much  too  late  in  the  contest,  when 
the  insurgents  stung  by  injustice,  and  conscious  of  their  griev 
ances,  refuse  all  temperate  compromise,  and  run  riot.  This 
woman' s-rights  and  woman' s-suffrage  abomination  is  no  sud 
denly  concocted  social  bottle  of  yeast ;  it  has  been  ferment 
ing  for  ages,  and  having  finally  blown  out  the  cork,  is  rapidly 
leavening  the  mass  of  female  malcontents. 

"  But  Uncle  Peyton,  you  surely  discriminate  between  a  few 
noisy  ambitious  sciolists  who  mistake  lyceum  notoriety  for  re 
nown,  and  the  noble  band  of  delicate,  refined  women  whose 
brilliant  attainments  in  the  republic  of  letters,  are  surpassed 
only  by  their  beautiful  devotion  to  God,  family,  and  home  ? 
Fancy  Mrs.  Somerville  demanding  a  seat  in  Parliament,  or 
Miss  Herschel  elbowing  her  way  to  the  hustings  ?  Whose  do 
mestic  record  is  more  lovely  in  its  pure  womanliness  than 
Hannah  More's,  or  Miss  Mitford's,  or  Mrs.  Browning's  ; — who 
wears  deathless  laurels  more  modestly  than  Rosa  Bonheur  ? 
It  seems  to  me  Sir,  that  it  is  not  so  much  the  amount,  as  the 
quality  of  the  learning  that  just  now  ought  to  engage  attention. 
I  see  that  one  of  the  ablest  and  strongest  thinkers  of  the  day, 
has  handled  this  matter  in  a  masterly  way,  and  with  your  per 
mission  I  should  like  to  read  a  passage  :  'In  these  times  the 
educational  tree  seems  to  me  to  have  its  roots  in  the  air,  its 
leaves  and  flowers  in  the  ground  ;  and  I  confess  I  should  very 
much  like  to  turn  it  upside  down,  so  that  its  roots  might  be 
solidly  embedded  among  the  facts  of  Nature, — and  draw  thence 
a  sound  nutriment  for  the  foliage  and  fruit  of  literature  and  of 
art.  No  educational  system  can  have  a  claim  to  permanence, 
unless  it  recognizes  the  truth  that  education  has  two  great  ends, 
to  which  everything  else  must  be  subordinated.  One  of  these 
is  to  increase  knowledge  ;  the  other  is  to  develop  the  love  of 
right,  and  the  hatred  of  wrong.  At  present,  education  is  almost 
entirely  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  power  of  expression, 
and  of  the  sense  of  literary  beauty.  The  matter  of  having  any 
thing  to  say,  beyond  a  hash  of  other  people's  opinions,  or  of 


INFELICE.  135 

possessing  any  criterion  of  beauty,  so  that  we  may  distinguish 
between  the  God-like  and  the  devilish,  is  left  aside  as  of  no 
moment.  I  think  I  do  not  err  in  saying  that  if  science  were 
made  the  foundation  of  education,  instead  of  being  at  most, 
stuck  on  as  cornice  to  the  edifice,  this  state  of  things  could  not 
exist.'  Such  is  the  system  I  should  like  to  see  established  in 
our  own  country." 

"  Provided  you  could  rely  upon  the  moderation  of  the 
teachers;  for  unless  wisely  and  temperately  inculcated,  this 
system  would  soon  make  utter  shipwreck  of  the  noblest  in 
terests  of  humanity.  For  many  years  I  have  watched  atten 
tively  the  doublings  of  this  fox, — and  while  I  yield  to  no  man 
in  solemn  fidelity  to  truth,  I  want  to  be  sure  that  what  I  accept 
as  such,  is  not  merely  old  error  under  new  garbs, — only  a 
change  of  disguising  terms.  Science  has  its  fetich,  as  well  as 
superstition,  and  abstruse  terminology  does  not  always  conceal 
its  stolid  gross  proportions.  The  complete  overthrow  and  an 
nihilation  of  the  belief  in  a  Personal,  Governing,  Prayer-answer 
ing  God,  is  the  end  and  aim  of  the  gathering  cohorts  of  science, 
• — and  the  sooner  masking  technicalities  are  thrown  aside,  the 
better  for  all  parties.  Scientific  research  and  analysis,  nobly 
brave,  patient,  tireless  and  worthy  of  all  honor  and  gratitude, 
• — have  manipulated,  decomposed,  and  then  integrated  the  uni 
versal  clay, — but  despite  microscope  and  telescope,  chemical 
analysis  and  vivisection, — they  can  go  no  further  than  the  whir 
ring  of  the  Potter's  wheel, — and  the  Potter  is  nowhere  revealed. 
The  moulding  Creative  hand  and  the  plastic  clay  are  still  as 
distinct,  as  when  the  gauntlet  was  first  flung  down  by  proud 
ambitious  constructive  science.  Animal  and  vegetable  organ 
isms  have  been  analyzed,  and — *  the  idea  of  adaptation  devel 
oped  into  the  conception  that  life  itself,  "  is  the  definite  combina 
tion  of  heterogeneous  changes,  both  simultaneous  and  successive 
•  in  correspondence  with  external  coexistence  and  sequences."  ' 
Now  to  the  masses  who  are  pardonably  durious  concerning 
this  problem  of  existence,  is  this  result  perfectly  satisfactory? 
The  *  Physical  basis  of  life '  has  been  driven  into  a  corner, 


136  INFELICE. 

hunted  down,  seized  at  last,  and  over  the  heads  of  an  eager, 
panting,  chasing  generation, — is  triumphantly  dangled  this 
'Scientific  Fox'  brush, — 'Nucleated  Protoplasm,  the  structural 
unit ! '  But  how  or  whence  sprang  the  laws  of  t  Protein  ? 
Hatred  of  certain  phrases  is  more  bitter  than  of  the  principles 
they  express,  and  because  theologians  cling  to  the  words  God, 
Creative  Acts,  Divine  Wisdom,  Providential  Adaptation, — 
scientists  declare  them  the  dicta  of  ignorance,  superstition  and 
tradition,  and  demand  that  we  shall  bow  before  their  superior 
wisdom,  and  substitute  such  terms  as  *  Biogenesis,'  '  Abio- 
genesis,'  and  '  Xenogenesis.1  But  where  is  the  economy  of 
credulity  ?  The  problems  are  only  clouded  by  a  subtle  veil  of 
learned  or  scientific  verbiage,  and  their  solution  does  not  reduce 
the  expenditure  of  faith.  The  change  of  names  is  not  worth 
the  strife,  for  the  Clay  and  the  Potter  are  still  distinct, — and 
He  who  created  cosmic  laws — cannot  reasonably  or  satisfac 
torily  be  confounded  with,  or  merged  in  His  own  statutes. 
Creeds,  theories,  systems  are  not  valuable  because  they  are 
religious  and  traditional, — or  because  they  are  scientific  and 
philosophical, — but  solely  on  account  of  their  truth.  So  Doug 
lass,  I  am  not  sure  that  your  essentially  scientific  method  will 
teach  Regina  any  more  real  wisdom  in  ethics,  or  in  ./Etiology, 
than  her  great-grandmother  possessed." 

"  You  forget,  Uncle  Peyton,  that  in  this  rapidly  advancing 
age,  only  improved  educational  systems  will  enable  men  and 
women  to  appreciate  the  importance  of  its  discoveries  ?  " 

"  My  dear  boy,  are  sudden  and  violent  changes  always  syn 
onymous  with  advancement  ?  Is  transition  inevitably  improve 
ment  ?  Was  the  social  status  of  Paris  after  the  revolution  of 
1790,  an  appreciable  progress  from  the  morals,  religious  or  politi 
cal  that  existed  in  the  days  of  Fenelon  ?  In  mechanical,  agri 
cultural,  and  chemical  departments  the  march  is  indeed  nobly 
on  and  upward,  the  discoveries  and  improvements  are  vast  and 
wonderful,  and  for  these  physical  material  blessings  we  are  en 
tirely  indebted  to  Science, — toiling,  heroic  and  truly  beneficent 
Science.  In  morals  public  or  private, — religion  national  or 


INF  ELI  CE.  137 

individual,  or  in  civil  polity  have  we  advanced  ?  Has  liberty 
of  action  kept  pace  with  liberty  of  opinion  ?  Are  Americans  as 
truly  free  to-day,  as  they  certainly  were  fifty  years  ago  ?  In 
aesthetics  do  we  surpass  Phidias  and  Praxiteles,  Raphael  and 
Michael  Angelo?  Is  our  music  more  perfect  than  Pergolesi's 
or  Mozart's  ?  Can  we  exhibit  any  marvels  of  architecture 
that  excel  the  glory  of  Phike,  Athens,  Paestum  and  Agra  ? 
Are  wars  less  bloody,  or  is  crime  less  rampant  ?  Our  arro 
gant  assumption  of  superiority  is  sometimes  mournfully  re 
buked.  For  instance,  one  of  the  most  eminent  and  popular 
Scientists  of  England,  emphasized  his  views  on  the  necessity 
of  *  improving  natural  knowledge,'  by  ascribing  the  great 
plague  of  1664,  and  the  great  fire  of  1666 — which  in  point  of 
population  and  of  houses, — nearly  swept  London  from  the 
face  of  the  globe, — to  ignorance  and  neglect  of  sanitary  laws, 
and  to  the  failure  to  provide  suitable  organizations  for  the  sup 
pression  of  conflagrations.  He  proudly  asserted  that  the  re 
currence  of  such  catastrophes  is  now  prohibited  by  scientific 
arrangements  '  that  never  allow  even  a  street  to  burn  down,' 
and  that  '  it  is  the  improvement  of  our  natural  knowledge 
which  keeps  back  the  plague.'  I  think  I  am  warranted  in 
the  assumption  that  our  American  Fire  Departments,  Insurance 
Companies,  and  Boards  of  Health  are  quite  as  advanced,  pro 
gressive  and  scientific  as  similar  associations  in  Great  Britain  ; 
—yet  the  week  after  I  read  his  argument,  an  immense  City  lay 
almost  in  ruins  ; — and  ere  many  months  passed,  several  towns 
and  districts  of  our  land  were  scourged,  desolated  by  pestilence 
so  fatal,  so  unconquerable,  that  the  horrors  of  the  plague  were 
revived,  and  the  living  were  scarcely  able  to  sepulchre  the 
dead.  Now  and  then  we  have  solemn  admonitions  of  the 
Sisyphian  tendency  of  the  attempt  so  oft  defeated,  so  persis 
tently  renewed  to  banish  a  Personal  and  Ruling  God,  and  sub 
stitute  the  scientific  Fetich, — *  Force  and  Matter,'  '  Natural 
Law,'  *  Evolution '  or  '  Development.'  While  I  desire  that 
the  basis  of  Regina's  education  shall  be  sufficiently  broad, 
liberal,  and  comprehensive,  I  intend  to  be  careful  what  doc- 


'138  INFELICE. 

trines  are  propounded;  for  unfortunately  all  who  sympathize 
with  the  atheism  of  Comte,  have   not  his  noble  frankness,  and 
fail  to  print  as  he  did  on  his  title-page  : 
*  Rcorganiser  sans  Dieu  ni  rot, 
Par  le  culte  systematique  de  F Humanite?  " 

"  Oh  Peyton  !  what  fearfully,  selfishly  long  sentences  you 
and  Douglass  inflict  upon  each  other,  and  upon  me  !  The 
colons  and  semi-colons  gather  along  the  lines  of  conversation 
like  an  army  of  martyrs,  and  to  my  stupidly  weary  ears,  that  last, 
that  final  period,  was  a  most  'sweet  boon' — a  crowning  bless 
ing.  If  Regina's  nightingale  soul  is  to  be  vexed  by  such  dis 
quisitions  as  those  from  which  you  have  been  quoting, — I  must 
say,  it  made  a  sorry  bargain  in  exchanging  brown  feathers  for 
pink  flesh,  and  would  have  had  a  better  time  trilling  madrigals 
in  some  hawthorne  thicket  or  myrtle  grove.  I  see  plainly  I 
might  as  well  carry  my  dear  old  Evelyn — fragrant  with  mint  and 
marjoram — back  up-stairs,  and  wrap  it  up  in  ancient  camphor- 
scented  linen, — and  put  it  away  tenderly  to  sleep  its  last  sleep  in 
the  venerable  cedar  chest,  where  rest  my  Grandfather's  huge 
knee-buckles — and  my  great-grandmother's  yellow  brocaded 
silk-dress,  with  its  waist  the  length  of  my  little  finger,  and  the 
sleeves  as  wide  as  a  balloon.  Gentlemen  permit  me  one  part 
ing  paragraph,  before  I  write  '  finis '  on  this  matter  of  education, 
and  'hereafter  forever  hold  my  peace.'  Be  it  distinctly  under 
stood,  '  by  these  presents ' — that  if  that  child  Regina  grows  up  a 
blue-stocking,  or  a  metempsychosist, — a  scientist  or  a  freedom- 
shrieker, — a  professor  of  physics,  or  a  practitioner  of  physic, — 
judge  of  a  court  or  mayor  of  a  city, — biologist,  sociologist, 
heathen  or  heretic, — it  will  be  no  work  or  wish  of  mine  ; — 
for  to  each  and  all  of  these  threatened,  progressive  abomina 
tions, — I — Elise  Lindsay, — do  hold  up  clean  hands,  and  cry 
avaunt !  " 

"  I  thought  my  sister  had  long  since  learned,  that  borrowing 
trouble,  necessitated  the  payment  of  usurious  interest  ?  Just 
now,  our  little  girl  carries  no  gorgon's  head  ;  let  her  alone. 
The  most  imperatively  demanded  change  in  our  system  of  fe- 


INFELICE.  I39 

male  training,  is  the  addition  of  a  few  years  in  which  to  work. 
American  girls  are  turned  out  upon  society,  when  they  should 
be  beginning  their  apprenticeship  under  their  mothers'  eyes, — 
in  ail  household  arts  and  sciences ; — and  they  are  wives  and 
mothers  before  they  are  able  physically,  mentally  or  morally  to 
appreciate  the  sacred  solemn  responsibilities  that  inhere  in  such 
positions.  If  our  girls  pursued  methodically  all  the  branches 
of  a  liberal  and  classical  education,  including  domestic  economy, 
until  they  were  at  least  twenty,  how  much  misery  would  be 
averted  ;  how  many  more  really  elegant  interesting  women 
would  be  added  to  the  charm  of  society, — usefulness  to  country, 
happiness  and  sanctity  of  home?  Had  I  means  to  bestow  in 
such  enterprises,  I  should  like  to  endow  some  institution,  and 
stipulate  for  a  chair  of  household-arts -and- sciences-and-home- 
duties  ;  and  Regina  should  not  go  into  general  society  until  she 
had  graduated  therein." 

"Not  another  word  of  conspiracy  against  my  little  maid's 
peace  !  Lean  forward  a  little,  Peyton,  and  look  at  her  yonder, 
coming  along  the  rose-walk.  See  how  the  pigeons  follow  her. 
She  has  been  gathering  raspberries,  and  I  promised  she  should 
make  all  she  could  pick,  into  jelly  for  poor  old  Tobitha  Meggs. 
How  pure  and  fair  she  looks  in  her  white  dress  !  Dear  little 
thing !  Sometimes  I  am  wicked  enough  to  wish  she  had  no 
mother,  for  then  she  would  be  wholly  ours,  and  we  could  keep 
her  always.  Listen — she  is  singing  Schubert's  l  Ave  Maria}  " 

After  a  moment's  silence  Mrs.  Lindsay  ros^,  and  passing  her 
arm  around  her  son's  neck,  leaned  her  cheek  against  his  head, 
as  he  sat  near  his  uncle,  and  looking  through  the  open  door  at 
the  slowly  approaching  figure. 

"  Bishop  it  I  were  an  artist,  I  would  paint  her  as  a  Priestess 
at  Ephesus, — chanting  a  hymn  to  Diana ;  and  instead  of  Hero 
and  the  pigeons,  place  brown  deer  and  spotted  fawns  on  mossy 
banks  in  the  background." 

"  Pooh  !  What  a  hopeless  pagan  you  are,  Elise  ?  If  I  were 
a  sculptor  I  would  chisel  a  statue  of  Purity,  and  give  it  her 
countenance." 


140 


INFELICE. 


And  Mr.  Lindsay  smiled  in  his  mother's  face,  and  said  only 
for  her  ear : 

"  Do  not  her  eyes  entitle  her  to  be  called  Glaukopis  ?  " 


CHAPTER  IX. 

|HE  long  sultry  August  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
those  who  had  found  the  intense  heat  almost  unendur 
able,  watched  with  delight  the  slow  hands  of  the  clock, 
whose  lagging  fingers  finally  pointed  to  five.  The  sky  seemed 
brass,  the  atmosphere  a  blast  from  Tophet,  and  the  sun  still 
standing  at  some  distance  above  the  horizon,  glared  mercilessly 
down  over  the  panting  parched  earth,  as  if  a  recent  and  unus 
ually  copious  shower  of  "meteoric  cosmical  matter"  had  fallen 
into  the  solar  furnace,  and  prompted  it  by  increased  incandes 
cence  to  hotly  deny  the  truth  of  Helmholtz's  assertion  :  "  The 
inexorable  laws  of  mechanics  show  that  the  store  of  heat  in 
the  sun  must  be  finally  exhausted."  Certainly  to  those  who 
had  fanned  themselves  through  the  tedious  torture  long  remem 
bered  as  the  "hot  Sunday,"  the  science-predicted  period  of 
returning  glaciers  and  polar  snows  where  palms  and  lemor* 
now  hold  sway,  seemed  even  more  distant,  than  the  epoc'A 
suggested  by  the  speculative.  In  proportion  to  the  elevatioa 
of  the  mercurial  vein  which  mounted  to  and  poised  itself  at  100, 
• — the  religious  the  devotional  pulse  sank  lower,  almost  to  zero ; 
consequently  although  circumstances  of  unusual  interest  at 
tracted  the  congregation  to  the  church,  where  Mr.  Lindsay  in 
tended  to  preach  his  farewell  sermon, — only  a  limited  number 
had  braved  the  heat  to  shake  hands  with  the  young  minister, 
who  ere  another  sunrise  would  have  started  on  his  long  journey 
to  the  pagan  East. 

At  the  parsonage  it  had  been  a  sad  day,  sad  despite  the  grave 
serenity  of  Mr.  Hargrove,  the  quiet  fortitude  of  Mr.  Lindsay, 


IN  FELICE.  I4I 

and  the  desperate  attempts  of  the  mother  to  drive  back  tears, 
compose  fluttering  lips, — and  steady  the  tones  of  her  usually 
cheerful  voice.  For  several  days  previous,  Mr.  Hargrove  had 
been  quite  indisposed,  and  as  his  nephew  would  leave  home  at 
eleven  P.M.,  the  customary  Sunday  night  service  had  been 
omitted. 

As  the  afternoon  wore  away,  the  family  trio  assembled  on 
the  shaded  end  of  the  north  verandah,  and  with  intuitive  deli 
cacy,  Regina  shrank  from  intruding  on  the  final  interview 
which  appeared  so  sacred. 

Followed  by  Hero,  she  went  through  the  shrubbery,  and 
down  a  walk  bordered  with  ancient  cedars,  which  led  to  a 
small  gate,  that  opened  into  the  adjoining  church-yard. 

In  accordance  with  a  custom  long  since  fallen  hopelessly 
into  desuetude,  but  prevailing  when  the  venerable  church  was 
erected,  it  had  been  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  spacious  square, 
every  yard  of  which  had  subsequently  become  hallowed  as  the 
last  resting-place  of  families  who  had  passed  away,  since  the 
lofty  spire  rose  like  a  huge  golden  finger  pointing  heavenward. 
An  avenue  of  noble  elms  led  from  the  iron  gate  to  the  broad 
stone  steps, — and  on  either  side  and  behind  the  church 
swelled  the  lines  of  mounds,  some  white  with  marble,  some 
green  with  turf,  now  and  then  a  heap  of  mossy  shells, — not  a 
few  gay  with  flowers  ; — all  scrupulously  free  from  weeds,  and 
those  most  melancholy  symptoms  of  neglect,  which  even  in 
public  cemeteries  too  often  impress  the  beholder  with  gloomy 
premonitions  of  his  own  inevitable  future,  and  recall  the  sol 
emn  admonition  of  the  Talmud  :  "  Life  is  a  passing  shadow. 
Is  it  the  shadow  of  a  tower,  or  of  a  tree  ?  A  shadow  that  pre 
vails  for  a  while  ?  No  it  is  the  shadow  of  a  bird  in  his  flight, 
— away  flies  the  bird,  and  there  remains  neither  bird  nor 
shadow." 

Has  the  profoundly  religious  sentiment  of  reverence  for  the 
domains  of  death,  lost  or  gained  by  the  modern  practice  of 
municipal  monopoly  of  the  right  of  sepulture  ?  Who,  amid 
the  pomp  and  splendor  of  Greenwood  or  Mount  Auburn, 


142  INFELICE. 

where  human  vanity  builds  its  own  proud  monument  in  the 
mausoleums  of  the  Dead, — who  in  hurrying  along  the  broad 
and  beautiful  avenues  thronged  with  noisy  groups  of  chattering 
pedestrians,  and  with  gay  equipages  that  render  the  name 
"  City  of  silence  "  a  misnomer, — converting  it  into  a  quasi 
Festa  ground, — a  scene  for  subdued  Sunday  Fete  Champetre, 
• — who  passing  from  these  magnificent  City  cemeteries — into 
some  primitive  old-fashioned  churchyard,  such  as  that  of 

V ,  has   not    suddenly  been    almost  overpowered   by  the 

contrast  presented; — the  deep  brooding  solemnity,  the  holy 
hush,  the  pervading  indwelling  atmosphere  of  true  sanctity  that 
distinguishes  the  latter? 

Could  any  other  than  the  simple  ancient  churchyard  of  by 
gone  days,  have  suggested  that  sweetest,  purest,  noblest  Elegy 
in  our  mother  tongue  ?  Do  not  our  hearts  yearn  with  an  in 
tense  and  tender  longing  toward  that  church,  at  whose  font  we 
^were  baptized,  at  whose  communion  table  we  reverently 
bowed, — before  whose  altar  we  breathed  the  marriage  vows, — 
from  whose  silent  chancel  we  shall  one  day  be  softly  and  slowly 
borne  away  to  our  last  long  sleep  ?  Why  not  lay  us  down  to 
rest,  where  the  organ  that  pealed  at  our  wedding,  and  sobbed 
its  requiem  over  our  senseless  clay, — may  still  breathe  its  lov 
ing  dirges  across  our  graves,  in  winter's  leaden  storms,  or  in 
fragrant  amber-aired  summer  days  ?  Would  worldly  vampires 
• — such  as  political  or  financial  schemes,  track  a  man's  footsteps 
down  the  aisle,  and  nap  their  fatal  numbing  pinions  over  his 
soul  so  securely  even  in  the  Sanctuary  of  the  Lord, — if  from 
his  family  pew  his  eyes  wandered  now  and  then  to  the  marble 
slab  that  lay  like  a  benediction  over  the  silver  head  of  an  hon 
ored  father  or  mother,  or  the  silent  form  of  a  beloved  wife, 
sister  or  brother? 

Is  there  a  woman  so  callous,  so  steeped  in  folly,  that  the 
tinsel  of  Vanity  Fair, — the  paraphernalia  of  fashion,  or  all  the 
thousand  small  fiends  that  beleaguer  the  female  soul,  could 
successfully  lure  her  imagination  from  holy  themes, — when- 
sitting  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  she  yet  sees  through  the  open  win- 


INFELICE.  143 

dows  where  butterflies  like  happy  souls,  flutter  in  and  out, — the 
motionless  chiselled  cenotaph  that  rests  like  a  sentinel  above 
the  pulseless  heart  that  once  enshrined  her  image,  called  her 
wife, — and  beat  in  changeless  devotion  against  her  own  ; — 01 
the  little  grassy  billow  sown  thick  with  violets  that  speak  to  her 
of  the  blue  eyes  beneath  them, — where  in  dreamless  slumber 
that  needs  no  mother's  cradling  arms,  no  maternal  lullaby, — 
reposes  the  waxen  form,  the  darling  golden  head  of -her  long 
lost  baby?  What  spot  so  peculiarly  suited  for  "God's  Acre" 
— as  that  surrounding  God's  Temple  ? 

A  residence  of  nearly  four  years'  duration  at  the  Parsonage, 
had  rendered  this  quiet  churchyard  a  favorite  retreat  with  Re- 
gina,  and  divesting  the  graves  of  all  superstitious  terrors,  had 
awakened  in  her  nature  only  a  most  profound  and  loving  rev 
erence  for  the  precincts  of  the  Dead. 

To-day  longing  for  some  secluded  spot  in  which  to  indulge 
the  melancholy  feelings  that  oppressed  her,  she  instinctively 
sought  the  church,  yielding  unconscious  homage  to  its  hallowed 
and  soothing  influence.  Passing  slowly  and  carefully  among  the 
head-stones,  she  went  into  the  church  to  which  she  had  access 
at  all  times  by  a  key,  which  enabled  her  to  enter  at  will  and 
practise  on  the  small  organ  that  was  generally  used  in  Sabbath- 
school  music. 

Fancying  that  it  might  be  cooler  in  the  gallery,  she  ascended 
to  the  organ  loft,  and  while  Hero  stretched  himself  at  her  feel, 
she  sat  down  on  one  of  the  benches  close  to  the  open  window 
that  looked  toward  the  mass  of  trees  which  so  completely  em 
bowered  the  parsonage,  that  only  one  ivy-crowned  chimney  was 
visible.  Low  in  the  sky,  and  just  opposite  the  tall  arched  win 
dow  behind  the  pulpit,  the  sunburned  like  a  baleful  Cyclopean 
eye,  striking  through  a  mass  of  ruby  tinted  glass  that  had  been 
designed  to  represent  a  lion,  and  other  symbols  of  the  Redeem 
er,  who  soared  away  above  them. 

Are  there  certain  subtle  electrical  currents  sheathed  in  human 
flesh,  that  link  us  sometimes  with  the  agitated  reservoirs  of  elec 
tricity  trembling  in  the  bosom  of  yet  distant  clouds  ?  Do  not 


I44  INF E  LICE. 

our  own  highly  charged  nervous  batteries  occasionally  give  the 
first  premonition  of  coming  thunder-storms  ?  Long  before  the 
low  angry  growl  that  came  suddenly  from  some  lightning  lair 
in  the  far  south,  below  the  sky-line,  Regina  anticipated  the  ap 
proaching  war  of  elements,  and  settled  herself  to  wait  for  it. 

Not  until  to-day  had  she  realized  how  much  of  the  pleasure 
of  her  life  at  the  parsonage,  was  derived  from  the  sunny  pres 
ence  and  sympathizing  companionship,  which  she  was  now  about 
to  lose,  certainly  for  many  years,  probably  forever. 

Although  Mr.  Lindsay's  age  doubled  her  own,  he  had  entered 
so  fully  into  her  fancies,  humored  so  patiently  her  girlish  capri 
ces,  and  with  such  tireless  interest  aided  her  in  her  studies,  that 
she  seemed  to  forget  his  seniority  ;  and  treated  him  with  the 
quiet  affectionate  freedom  which  she  would  have  indulged  toward 
a  young  brother.  Next  to  the  memory  of  her  mother,  she  pro 
bably  gave  him  the  warmest  place  in  her  heart,  but  she  was  a 
remarkably  reserved,  composed  and  undemonstrative  child,  by 
no  means  addicted  to  caresses, — and  only  in  moments  of  deep 
feeling  betrayed  into  an  impulsive  passionate  gesture,  or  a  burst 
of  emotion. 

Sincerely  attached  to  the  entire  household,  who  had  won  not 
merely  her  earnest  gratitude,  but  profound  respect  and  admira 
tion,  she  was  conscious  of  a  peculiar  clinging  tenderness  for  Mr. 
Lindsay,  which  rendered  the  prospect  of  his  departure  the  keen 
est  trial  that  had  hitherto  overtaken  her  ;  and  when  she  thought 
of  the  immense  distance  that  must  soon  divide  them',  the  labori 
ous  nature  of  the  engagement  that  would  detain  him  perhaps  a 
life-time  in  the  far  East,  her  own  dim  uncertain  future  looked 
dark  and  dreary.  The  blazing  sun  went  down  at  last, — the  fiery 
radiance  of  the  pulpit  window  faded,  and  the  birds  that  frequent 
ed  the  quiet  sheltered  enclosure  sought  their  perches  in  the 
thickest  foliage  where  they  were  wont  to  sleep.  But  there  was 
no  abatement  of  the  heat.  The  air  was  sulphurous,  and  its  in 
spiration  was  about  as  refreshing  as  a  draught  from  Phlegethon; 
while  the  distant  occasional  growl  had  grown  into  a  frequent 
thunderous  muttering,  that  deepened  with  every  repetition,  and 


INFELICE.  145 

already  began  to  shake  the  windows  in  its  reverberations.  Two 
ladies  in  deep  mourning,  who  had  been  hovering  like  black 
spectres  around  a  granite  sarcophagus,  where  they  deposited 
and  arranged  the  customary  Sabbath  arkja  of  white  flowers, — 
concluded  their  loving  tribute  to  the  sleeper,  and  left  the  church 
yard  ;  and  save  the  continual  challenge  of  the  thunder  drawing 
nearer,  the  perfect  stillness  ominous  and  dread,  which  always 
precedes  a  violent  storm,  seemed  brooding  in  fearful  augury 
above  the  home  of  the  Dead. 

With  one  foot  resting  on  Hero's  neck,  Regina  sat  leaning 
against  the  window  facing,  very  pale,  but  bravely  fighting  this 
her  first  great  battle  with  sorrow.  Her  face  was  elotment  with 
mute  suffering,  and  her  eyes  were  full  of  shadows  that  left  no 
room  for  tears. 

"  Going  away  to  India,  perhaps  forever  ! "  was  the  burden  of 
this  woe  that  blanched  even  her  lovely  coral  lips  until  their 
curves  were  lost  in  the  pallor  of  her  rounded  cheek  and  dimpled 
chin.  "  Going  away  to  India ; "  like  some  fateful  rune  presaging 
dire  disaster,  it  seemed  traced  in  characters  of  flame  across  the 
glowing  sky,  and  over  the  stony  monuments  that  studded  the 
necropolis. 

Suddenly  Hero  lifted  his  head,  sniffed  the  air,  and  rose,  and 
almost  simultaneously  Regina  heard  the  sound  of  footsteps  on 
the  gravel  outside, — and  the  low  utterances  of  a  voice  which 
she  recognized  as  Hannah's. 

"  I  never  told  you  before,  because  I  was  afraid  that  in  the 
end,  you  would  cheat  me  out  of  my  share  of  the  profit.  But  I 
have  watched  and  waited,  and  bided  my  time  as  long  as  I  intend 
to,  and  I  am  too  old  to  work  as  I  have  done." 

"  It  seems  to  me  a  queer  thing  you  have  hid  it  so  long, —  so 
many  years,  when  you  might  have  turned  it  into  gold.  The 
old  General  ought  to  pay  well  for  the  paper.  Let's  see  it." 

The  response  was  in  a  man's  voice,  harsh  and  discordant, 
and  leaning  slightly  forward,  Regina  saw  the  old  servant  from 
the  Parsonage,  standing  immediately  beneath  the  window,  fan 
ning  herself  with  her  white  apron,  and  earnestly  conversing  in 


146  INF  ELI  CE. 

subdued  tones  with  a  middle-aged  man,  whose  flushed  and  rather 
bloated  face,  still  retained  traces  of  having  once  been,  though 
in  a  coarse  style — handsome.  In  length  of  limb,  and  compact 
muscular  development  he  appeared  an  athlete,  a  very  son  of 
Anak  ;  but  habitual  dissipation  had  set  its  brutalizing  stamp 
upon  his  countenance,  and  the  expression  of  the  inflamed  eyes 
and  sensuous  mouth  was  sinister  and  forbidding,  as  if  a  career 
of  vice  had  left  the  stain  of  irremediable  ruin  on  his  swarthy  face. 

As  he  concluded  his  remark  and  stretched  out  his  hand, 
Hannah  laughed  scornfully. 

"  Do  you  take  me  for  a  fool  ?  Who  else  would  travel  around 
with  a  match  and  a  loaded  fuse  in  the  same  pocket  ?  1  haven't 
it  with  me  ;  it  is  too  valuable  to  be  carried  about.  The  care 
of  that  scrap  of  paper  has  tormented  me  all  these  years, 
worse  than  the  tomb  devils  did  the  swine  that  ran  down  into 
the  sea  to  cool  off;  and  if  I  have  changed  its  hiding-place  once, 
I  have  twenty  times.  If  the  old  General  doesn't  pay  well  for  it, 
I  shall  gnaw  off  my  fingers,  on  account  of  the  sin  it  has  cost 
me.  1  was  an  honest  woman  and  could  have  faced  the  world, 
until  that  night — so  many  years  ago  ; — and  since  then,  I  have 
carried  a  load  on  my  soul  that  makes  me, — even  Hannah  Hin- 
ton,  —  who  never  flinched  before  man  or  woman  or  beast, — a 
coward,  a  quaking  coward  !  Sin  stabs  courage, — lets  it  ooze 
out,  as  a  knife  does  blood.  Don't  bully  me — Peleg  ! — I  won't 
bear  it.  Jeer  me  if  you  dare." 

"Never  fear  Aunt  Hannah.  I  have  no  mind  to  do  theatre 
on  a  small  scale,  and  show  you  Satan  reproving  sin.  After 
all,  what  is  your  bit  of  petit  larceny,  your  thin  slice  of  theft,  in 
comparison  with  my  black  work  ?  But  really  I  don't  in  the 
least  begrudge  my  sins,  if  only  I  might  have  my  revenge, — if  I 
f  could  only  get  Minnie  in  my  power." 

"  Bah  !  don't  sicken  me  with  any  more  of  the  Minnie  dose  ! 
I  hate  the  name  as  I  do  small-pox  or  cholera.  A  pretty  life 
you  have  led,  dancing  after  her,  as  an  outright  fool  might  after 
the  pewter-bells  on  a  baby's  rattle  ! " 

"  You  women  can't  understand  how  a  man  feels  when  his 


INFELICE.  I47 

love  changes  to  hate  ;  and  yet  you  ought  to  know  all  about  it, 
for  when  you  do  turn  upon  one  another,  you  never  let  go. 
Aunt  Hannah  I  loved  her  better  than  everything  else  upon  the 
broad  earth, — I  would  have  kissed  the  dust  where  she  walked, — 
J  always  loved  her, — and  she  was  fond  of  me,  until  that  college 
dandy  came  between  us, — and  made  a  fool  of  her, — a  villain  of 
me.  When  she  forsook  me,  and  followed  him  off, — I  swore  I 
would  be  revenged.  There  is  tiger  blood  in  me,  and  when  I 
am  thoroughly  stirred  up,  I  never  cool.  It  is  a  long  long  time 
since  I  lost  her  trail, — soon  after  the  child  was  born,  and  eight 
years  ago  I  almost  gave  up,  and  went  to  Cuba  ;  but  if  I  can 
only  find  the  track,  I  will  follow  it  till  I  hunt  her  down.  I 
never  received  your  letters  or  I  would  have  hurried  back. 
Where  is  Minnie  now  ?  " 

"That  is  more  than  I  know,  but  I  think  somewhere  in 
Europe.  The  letters  are  always  sent  to  a  lawyer  in  New  York, 
who  directs  them  to  her.  I  have  tried  in  every  way  to  find  out, 
but  they  are  all  too  smart  for  me." 

"  Why  don't  you  pump  the  child  ?  " 

"  Haven't  I  ?  And  gained  about  as  much  as  if  I  had  put  a 
handle  on  the  side  of  a  lump  of  cast  iron,  and  pumped.  She 
is  closer  than  sealing  wax,  and  shrewder  than  a  serpent.  If  you 
pumped  her  till  the  stars  fell,  you  would  not  get  an  air  bubble. 
She  can  neither  be  scared  nor  coaxed." 

"  Where  is  the  paper  ?  " 

"  Safely  buried  here,  among  the  dead." 

"  What  folly  !  Don't  you  know  the  dampness  will  destroy 
it?  Pshaw  !  you  have  ruined  everything." 

"  See  here  Peleg, — all  the  brains  of  the  family  did  not  lodge 
in  your  skull ;  and  I  guess  I  was  wiser  at  your  age,  than  you 
will  be  at  mine.  The  paper  was  safe  and  sound  when  I  looked 
at  it  a  month  ago,  and  it  is  wrapped  up  in  oil-silk,  then  in 
cotton,  and  kept  in  a  thick  tin  box." 

"  When  can  I  see  it  ?     Suppose  you  get  it  now  ?  " 

"  In  daylight  ?  You  may  depend  on  my  steering  clear  of 
detection, — no  matter  what  comes.  I  would  take  it  up  to- 


148  INFELICE. 

night,  but  there  is  going  to  be  an  awful  storm.  Do  you  hear 
how  the  thunder  keeps  bellowing  down  yonder,  under  that 
dark  line  crossing  the  South  ?  There  will  be  wild  work  pretty 
soon  ;  it  has  been  simmering  all  day,  and  when  it  begins,  it 
won't  be  child's  play.  Even  the  marble  slabs  on  the  graves  are 
hot,  and  the  ground  scorched  my  feet,  as  if  Satan  and  his  fires 
had  burnt  through  all  but  a  thin  crust.  I  never  was  afraid  of  the 
Devil  until  my  sin  brought  me  close  to  him.  I  want  to  finish 
this  business,  and  before  day  to-morrow,  I  will  come  over  here 
and  dig  up  my  box.  There  will  be  dim  moonlight  by  three 
o'clock,  and  if  it  should  be  cloudy,  I  can  shut  my  eyes  and  find 
the  place.  I  tell  you  Peleg,  I  am  sick  and  tired  of  this  dirty 
work  ;  and  sometimes  I  think  I  am  no  better  than  a  hyena 
prowling  among  dead  men's  bones.  Come  around  to  the  cow 
shed  in  the  morning,  about  seven  o'clock,  when  the  family  will 
be  in  the  library,  holding  prayers;  and  when  I  go  to  milk,  I 
will  bring  you  the  paper.  Only  to  look  at,  to  read  over,  mind 
you  !  It  doesn't  leave  my  hands,  until  the  old  General's  gold 
jingles  in  my  pocket.  Then  he  is  welcome  to  it,  and  Minnie 
may  suffer  the  consequences ; — and  you  and  I  will  divide  the 
profits.  1  want  to  go  away  and  rest  with  my  sister  Penelope,  the 
remainder  of  my  life,  and  though  the  family  here  beg  me  to 
stay,  I  have  already  given  notice  that  I  intend  to  stop  work 
next  month." 

"Very  well,  don't  fail  me;  I  am  as  anxious  to  close  up  the 
job,  as  you  possibly  can  be.  I  should  like  to  see  the  child, 
Minnie's  child — but  I  might  spoil  every thing,*-if  she  looks  like 
her  mother.  Good-bye  till  to-morrow." 

The  two  walked  away,  one  passing  down  the  avenue  of  elms, 
out  into  the  street.  The  other  sauntered  in  the  direction  of  the 
parsonage,  but  ere  she  reached  the  small  gate,  Hannah  turned 
aside  to  a  low  iron  railing  that  enclosed  two  monuments  ;  a 
marble  angel  with  expanded  wings  standing  above  a  child's 
grave, — and  a  broken  column  wreathed  with  sculptured  ivy, 
placed  on  a  mound  covered  with  grass.  Just  behind  the 
former  and  close  to  the  railing,  rose  a  noble  Lombardy  poplar 


TNFELICE.  149 

that  towered  even  above  the  elms,  and  at  its  base  a  mass  of 
periwinkle  and  ground  ivy  ran  hither  and  thither  in  luxuriant 
confusion,  clasping  a  few  ambitious  tendrils  even  about  the  an 
cient  trunk. 

Over  the  railing  leaned  Hannah,  peering  down  for  several 
moments,  at  the  lush  green  creepers, — then  she  walked  on  to 
the  Parsonage  gate,  and  disappeared. 

Watching  her  movements,  Regina  readily  surmised  that  some 
where  near  that  tree,  the  paper  was  secreted  ;  and  she  was 
painfully  puzzled  to  unravel  the  thread  that  evidently  linked  her 
with  the  mystery. 

"lam  the  child  she  spoke  of, — and  she  has  tried  again  and 
again  to  'pump'  me,  as  she  called  it.  'Minnie'  must  mean 
my  mother, — but  that  is  not  her  name.  Odille  Orphia  Orme 
never  could  be  twisted  into  '  Minnie,' — and  that  coarse,  com 
mon,  low, — wicked  man  never  could  have  dared  to  love  my 
own  clear  beautiful  proud  mother !  There  must  be  some 
dreadful  mistake.  Somebody  is  wrong, — but  not  mother, — • 
no,  no — never  my  mother  !  Once  she  wrote  that  she  was 
forced  to  keep  some  things  secret,  because  she  had  bitter  ene 
mies  ; — and  this  man  must  be  one  of  them, — for  he  said  he 
would  hunt  her  down.  But  he  shall  not !  Was  it  Providence 
that  brought  them  here  to  talk  over  their  wicked  schemes, 
where  I  could  hear  them  ?  Oh  !  if  I  only  knew  all  !  Mother 
— mother  !  you  might  trust  your  child  !  I  can't  believe  that 
I  am  ignorant  even  of  my  mother's  name.  Surely  she  never 
was  that  red-faced  man's  'Minnie'  !  " 

Covering  her  face  with  her  hands,  she  shuddered  at  the 
familiar  mention  by  profane  lips,  of  one,  so  hallowed  in  her  es 
timation,  and  this  vague  threatening  of  danger  to  her  mother, 
sufficed  for  a  time  to  divert  her  thoughts  from  the  sorrow,  that 
for  some  days  past  had  engrossed  her  mind. 

Knowing  the  affection  and  confidence  with  which  Hannah 
had  always  been  treated  by  the  members  of  the  family,  and  the 
great  length  of  time  she  had  so  faithfully  served  in  the  Parson 
age  household,  Regina  was  shocked  at  the  discovery  of  her 


I5o  INFELICE. 

complicity  in  a  scheme,  which  she  admitted  had  made  her  dis 
honest.  Only  two  days  before,  she  had  heard  Mrs.  Lindsay 
lamenting  that  misfortunes  never  came  single, — for  as  if  Doug 
lass'  departure  were  not  disaster  enough  for  one  year, — 
Hannah  must  even  imagine  that  she  felt  symptoms  of  dropsy 
and  desired  to  go  away  somewhere  in  Iowa  or  Minnesota, 
where  she  could  rest,  and  be  nursed  by  her  relatives. 

This  announcement  heightened  the  gloom  that  already  im 
pended,  and  various  attempts  had  been  made  by  Mr.  Hargrove 
and  his  sister  to  induce  Hannah  to  reconsider  her  resolution. 
But  she  obstinately  maintained  that  she  was  "  a  worn-out  old 
horse,  who  ought  to  be  turned  out  to  pasture  in  peace,  the  rest 
of  her  days  ;  "  yet  notwithstanding  her  persistency,  she  evinced 
much  distress  at  her  approaching  separation  from  the  family, 
and  never  alluded  to  it  without  a  Hood  of  tears. 

What  would  the  members  of  the  household  think,  when  they 
discovered  how  mistaken  all  had  been  in  her  real  character  ?  But 
had  she  a  right  to  betray  Hannah  to  her  employer  ?  Perhaps  the 
paper  had  no  connection  with  the  parsonage,  and  no  matter 
whom  else  she  might  have  wronged,  Hannah  had  faithfully  served 
the  pastor,  and  repaid  his  kindness  by  devotion  to  his  domestic 
interests  Regina's  nature  was  generous  as  well  as  just,  and  she 
felt  grateful  to  Hannah  for  many  small  favors  bestowed  on  her 
self, — for  a  uniform  willingness  to  oblige  or  assist  her,  as  only 
servants  have  it  in  their  power  to  do. 

Sweetening  reminiscences  of  caramels  and  crullers,  of  paren 
thetic  patty-pancakes  not  ordered  or  expected  on  the  Parson 
age  bill  of  fare, — pleaded  pathetically  for  Hannah,  and  were  ably 
supported  by  recollections  of  torn  dresses  deftly  darned, — of 
unseasonably  and  unreasonably  soiled  white  aprons,  which  the 
same  skilful  hands  had  surreptitiously  washed  and  fluted  befc  • 
the  regular  day  for  commencing  the  laundry  work, — all  of  whi  t 
now  made  clamorous  and  desperate  demands  on  the  girl's  grati 
tude  and  leniency.  So  complete  had  been  her  trust  in  Hannah, 
that  her  reticence  concerning  her  mother,  sprang  solely  from 
Mr.  Hargrove's  earnest  injunction  that  she  would  permit  no  one 


INF E  LICE.  I5I 

to  question  her  upon  the  subject ;  consequently  she  had  very 
tenderly  intimated  to  the  old  woman,  that  she  was  not  at  liberty 
to  discuss  that  matter  with  any  one. 

"  She  is  going  away  very  soon,  bearing  a  good  character. 
Would  it  be  right  for  me  to  disgrace  her  in  her  old  age,  by  tell 
ing  Mr.  Hargrove  what  I  accidentally  overheard?  If  I  only  knew 
'  Minnie '  meant  mother,  I  could  be  sure  this  paper  did  not  re 
fer  to  Mr.  Hargrove,  and  then  I  should  see  my  way  clearly ;  for 
they  both  said  «  old  General,'  and  no  one  calls  Mr.  or  Dr.  Har 
grove  *  General.'  I  only  want  to  do  what  is  right." 

As  she  lifted  her  face  from  her  hands,  she  was  surprised  at  the 
sudden  gloom,  that  since  she  last  looked  out,  had  settled  like  a 
pall  over  the  sky,  darkening  the  church,  rendering  even  the 
monuments  indistinct. 

Hero  began  to  whine  and  bark,  and  starting  from  her  seat, 
Regina  hurried  toward  the  steps  leading  down  from  the  organ- 
loft.  Ere  she  reached  them  a  fearful  sound  like  the  roaring  of  a 
vast  flood  broke  the  prophetic  silence, — then  a  blinding  lurid 
flash  seemed  to  wrap  everything  in  flame  ;  there  was  simultane 
ously  an  awful  detonating  crash,  as  if  the  pillars  of  the  universe 
had  given  way, — and  the  initial  note  ushered  in  the  thunder- 
fugue  of  the  tempest,  that  raged  as  if  the  Destroying  Angel  rode 
upon  its  blast. 

In  the  height  of  its  fury,  it  bowed  the  ancient  elms  as  if  they 
were  mere  reeds,  and  shook  the  stone  church  to  its  foundations, 
as  a  giant  shakes  a  child's  toy. 

Frightened  by  the  trembling  of  the  building,  Regina  began  to 
descend  the  stairs,  guided  by  the  incessant  flashes  of  lightning, 
but  when  about  half-way  down,  a  terrific  peal  of  thunder  so 
startled  her,  that  she  missed  a  step,  grasped  at  the  balustrade 
but  failed  to  find  it, — and  rolled  helplessly  to  the  floor  of  the 
vestibule.  Stunned  and  mute  with  terror,  she  attempted  to  rise, 
but  her  left  foot  crushed  under  her  in  the  fall,  refused  to  serve 
aer,  and  with  a  desperate  instinct  of  faith,  she  crawled  through 
the  inside  door  and  down  the  aisle,  seeking  refuge  at  the  altar 
of  God.  Dragging  the  useless  member,  she  reached  the  chancel 


152  INF E  LICE. 

at  last,  and  as  the  lightning  showed  her  the  railing,  she  laid  her 
self  down,  and  clasped  the  mahogany  balusters  in  both  hands. 

In  the  ghastly  electric  light,  she  saw  the  wild  eyes  of  the  lion 
in  the  pulpit  window  glaring  at  her, — but  over  all,  the  holy 
smile  of  Christ,  as  looking  down  in  benediction,  He  soared  away 
heavenward  ;  and  above  the  howling  of  the  hurricane,  rose  her 
cry  to  Him, — who  stilleth  tempests, — and  saith  to  wind  and  sea 
— "  Peace  !  be  still  "  : 

"  Oh  Jesus  !  save  me — that  I  may  see  my  mother  once  more  !" 

She  imagined  there  was  a  lull,  certainly  the  shrieking  of  the 
gale  seemed  to  subside, — but  only  for  half  a  moment,  and  in  the 
doubly  fierce  renewal  of  elemental  strife, — amid  deafening  peals 
of  thunder,  and  the  unearthly  glare  that  preceded  each  rever 
beration,  there  came  other  sounds  more  appalling,  and  as  the 
church  rocked  and  quivered,  some  portion  of  the  ancient  edifice 
fell,  adding  its  crash  to  the  diapason  of  the  storm. 

Believing  that  the  roof  was  falling  upon  her,  Regina  shut  her 
eyes, — and  in  after  years  she  recalled  vividly  two  sensations  that 
seemed  her  last  on  earth  ;  one,  the  warm  touch  of. Hero's  tongue 
on  her  clenched  fingers, — the  other,  a  supernatural  wail  that  came 
down  from  the  gallery,  and  that  even  then,  she  knew  was  born 
in  the  organ.  Was  it  the  weird  fingering  of  the  sacrilegious  cy 
clone  that  concentrated  its  rage  upon  the  venerable  sanctuary  ? 

After  a  little  while,  the  fury  of  the  wind  spent  itself,  but  the 
rain  began  to  fall  heavily,  and  the  electricity  drama  continued 
with  unabated  vigor  and  fierceness. 

Although  unusually  brave,  for  so  young  a  person,  Regina 
had  been  completely  terrified,  and  she  lay  dumb  and  motion 
less,  still  clinging  to  the  altar  railing.  At  last  when  the  wind 
left  the  war  to  the  thunder  and  the  rain,  Hero  who  had  been 
quiet  until  now,  began  to-  bark  violently,  left  her  side,  and  ran 
to  and  fro,  now  and  then  uttering  a  peculiar  sound,  which  with  him 
always  indicated  delight.  His  subtle  instinct  was  stronger  than  her 
hope,  and  as  she  raised  herself  into  a  sitting  posture,  she  saw  that 
he  had  sprung  upon  the  top  of  one  of  the  side  aisle  pews,  and 
thence  into  the  window,  which  had  been  left  open  by  the  sexton. 


IN  FELICE.  I53 

Here  he  lingered  as  if  irresolute,  and  in  an  agony  of  dread 
at  the  thought  of  being  deserted,  she  cried  out  : 

"Here  Hero!  Come  back!  Hero  don't  leave  me  to  die 
alone." 

He  whined  in  answer,  and  barked  furiously  as  if  to  reassure 
her ;  then  the  whole  church  was  illumined  with  a  lurid  glory 
that  seemed  to  scorch  the  eyeballs  with  its  intolerable  radiance, 
and  in  it  she  saw  the  white  figure  of  the  dog  plunge  into  the 
blackness  beyond. 

She  knew  the  worst  was  over,  unless  the  lightning  killed  her, 
for  the  wind  had  ceased,  and  the  walls  were  still  standing  ;  but 
the  atmosphere  was  thick  with  dust,  and  redolent  of  lime,  and 
she  conjectured  that  the  plastering  in  the  gallery  had  fallen, 
though  the  tremendous  crash  portended  something  more  seri 
ous.  She  tried  to  stand  up,  by  steadying  herself  against  the 
balustrade, but  the  foot  refused  to  sustain  her  weight,and  she  sank 
back  into  her  former  crouching  posture,  feeling  very  desolate, 
but  tearless  and  quiet  as  one  of  the  apostolic  figures  that  looked 
pityingly  upon  her  whenever  the  lightning  smote  through  them. 

She  turned  her  head,  so  that  at  every  flash  she  could  gaze 
upon  the  placid  face  of  the  beatified  Christ  floating  above  the 
pulpit;  and  in  the  intense  intervening  darkness  tried  to  possess 
her  soul  in  patience, — thinking  of  the  mercy  of  God, — and  the 
love  of  her  mother. 

She  knew  not  how  long  Hero  had  left  her,  for  pain  and  terror 
are  not  accurate  chronometers, — but  after  what  appeared  a 
weary  season  of  waiting,  she  started  when  his  loud  bark 
sounded  under  the  window,  through  which  he  had  effected  his 
exit.  She  tried  to  call  him,  but  her  throat  was  dry  and  parched, 
and  her  foot  throbbed  and  ached  so  painfully,  that  she  dreaded 
making  any  movement.  Then  a  voice  always  pleasant  to  her 
ears,  but  sweeter  now  than  an  archangel's,  shouted  above  the 
steady  roar  of  the  rain  : 

"Regina!  Regina!" 

She  rose  to  her  knees,  and  with  a  desperate  exertion  of  lungs 
and  throat,  answered : 
7* 


154 


INFELICE. 


11 1  am  here  !  Mr.  Lindsay — I  am  here  ! " 

Remembering  that  words  ending  in  o — were  more  readily 
distinguished  at  a  distance,  she  added  : 

"  Hero  !  oh  Hero  !  " 

His  frantic  barking  told  her  that  she  had  been  heard,  and 
then  through  the  window  came  once  more  the  music  of  the 
loved  voice. 

"Be  patient.     I  am  coming." 

She  could  not  understand  why  he  did  not  come  through  the 
door,  instead  of  standing  beneath  the  window,  and  it  seemed 
stranger  still,  that  after  a  little  while  all  grew  silent  again.  But 
her  confidence  never  wavered,  and  in  the  darkness  she  knelt 
there  patiently,  knowing  that  he  would  not  forsake  her. 

It  seemed  a  very  long  time  before  Hero's  bark  greeted  her 
once  more,  and  turning  toward  the  window,  a  lingering  zigzag 
flash  of  lightning  showed  her  Douglass  Lindsay's  face,  as  he 
climbed  in,  followed  by  the  dog. 

"  Regina  !  where  are  you  ?  " 

"  Oh  here  I  am !  " 

He  stood  on  one  of  the  seats,  swinging  a  lantern  in  his  hand, 
and  as  she  spoke  he  sprang  toward  her. 

Still  clutching  the  altar  railing  with  one  hand,  she  knelt,  with 
her  white  suffering  face  upturned  piteously  to  him, — and  stoop 
ing  he  threw  his  arms  around  her  and  clasped  her  to  his  heart. 

"My  darling — God  has  been  merciful  to  you  and  me  !  " 

She  stole  one  arm  up  about  his  neck,  and  clung  to  him, 
while  for  the  first  time  he  kissed  her  cheek  and  brow. 

"  Does  my  darling  know  what  an  awful  risk  she  ran  ?  The 
steeple  has  fallen,  and  the  whole  front  of  the  church  is  blocked 
up, — a  mass  of  ruins.  1  could  not  get  in,  and  feared  you  were 
crushed,  until  I  heard  Hero  bark  from  the  inside,  and  followed 
the  sound  which  brought  me  to  the  window,  whence  he  jumped 
out  to  meet  me.  At  last  when  you  answered  my  call,  I  was 
obliged  to  go  back  for  a  ladder.  Here  darling,  at  God's  altar 
iet  us  thank  Him  for  your  preservation." 

He  bowed  his  face  upon  her  head,  and  she  heard  the  whis- 


INFELICE.  155 

pered  thanksgiving  that  ascended  to  the  throne  of  grace^  but 
no  words  were  audible.  Rising  he  attempted  to  lift  her,  but 
she  winced  and  moaned,  involuntarily  sinking  back. 

"What  is  the  matter?     After  all,  were  you  hurt?" 

"  When  I  came  down  from  the  gallery,  it  turned  so  dark  t 
was  frightened,  and  I  stumbled  and  fell  down  the  steps.  1 
must  have  broken  something,  for  when  I  stand  up  my  ankle 
gives  way,  and  I  can't  walk  at  all." 

"  Then  how  did  you  get  here  ?  The  steps  are  at  the  front  oi 
the  church." 

"  I  thought  the  altar  was  the  safest  place,  and  I  crawled  here 
on  my  hands  and  knees." 

He  pressed  her  head  against  his  shoulder,  and  his  deep  manly 
voice  trembled. 

"  Thank  God  for  the  thought.  It  was  your  salvation,  for  the 
stairs  and  the  spot  where  you  must  have  fallen,  are  a  heap  of 
stone,  brick  and  mortar.  If  you  had  remained  there,  you  would 
certainly  have  been  killed." 

"  Yes,  it  was  just  after  I  got  here  and  caught  hold  of  the 
railing,  that  the  crash  came.  Oh !  is  it  not  awful !  " 

"  It  was  an  almost  miraculous  escape,  for  which  you  ought 
to  thank  and  serve  your  God — all  the  days  of  the  life  He  has 
mercifully  spared  to  you.  Stand  up  a  minute,  even  if  it  pains 
you,  and  let  me  find  out  what  ails  your  foot.  I  know  something 
of  surgery,  for  once  it  was  my  intention  to  study  medicine,  in 
stead  of  divinity." 

He  unbuttoned  and  removed  her  shoe,  and  as  he  firmly 
pressed  the  foot  and  ankle,  she  flinched  and  sighed. 

"  I  think  there  are  no  bones  broken,  but  probably  you  have 
wrenched  and  sprained  the  ankle,  for  it  is  much  swollen  already. 
Now  little  girl,  I  must  go  back  for  some  assistance.  You  will 
have  to  be  taken  out  through  the  window,  and  I  am  afraid  to 
attempt  carrying  you  down  the  ladder  unaided,  and  in  the  dark 
ness.  I  might  break  your  neck,  instead  of  your  ankle." 

"Oh  please  don't  leave  me  here  ! " 

She  stretched  out  her  arms  pleadingly,  and  tears  sprang  to 


T56  INFELICE. 

his  eyes  as  he  noted  the  pallor  of  her  beautiful  face,  and  the 
nervous  fluttering  of  her  white  lips. 

"I  shall  leave  Hero  and  the  lantern  with  you,  and  you  may 
*be  sure  I  shall  be  gone  the  shortest  possible  time.  The  dan 
ger  is  over  now,  even  the  lightning  is  comparatively  distant, 
and  you  who  have  been  so  brave  all  the  while,  certainly  will  not 
prove  a  coward  at  the  last  moment  ?  " 

He  took  her  up  as  easily  as  if  she  had  been  an  infant,  and 
laid  her  tenderly  down  on  one  of  the  pew  cushions  ; — then 
placed  the  lantern  on  the  pulpit  desk,  and  came  back. 

"  Slip  your  hand  under  Hero's  collar,  to  prevent  him  from  fol 
lowing  me  if  he  should  try  to  do  so,  and  keep  up  your  courage. 
Put  yourself  in  God's  hands,  and  wait  here  patiently  for  Doug 
lass.  Don't  you  know  that  I  would  not  leave  you  here  an  in 
stant,  if  it  could  be  avoided  ?  God  bless  you — my  white  dove." 

He  stooped  and  kissed  her  forehead,  then  hurried  away,  and 
after  a  moment  Regina  knew  that  she  and  her  dog  were  once 
more  alone  in  the  ancient  church, — with  none  nearer  than  the 
Dead,  who  slept  so  soundly,  while  the  soft  summer  rain  fell 
ceaselessly  above  their  coffins. 


CHAPTER  X. 

|HE  town  clock  was  striking  nine,  when  the  renewal  of 
welcome  sounds  beneath  the  .window  announced  to 
Regina  that  her  weary  dark  vigil  was  ended.  Soon 
after  Mr.  Lindsay's  departure,  the  lantern  above  the  altar  grew 
dim,  then  went  out,  leaving  the  church  in  total  darkness,  re 
lieved  only  by  an  occasional  glimmer  from  the  electric  batteries, 
that  had  wheeled  far  away  to  the  north-east.  Erect  and  alert 
Hero  sat  beside  his  mistress,  now  and  then  rubbing  his  head 
against  her  shoulder,  or  placing  his  paw  on  her  arm,  as  if  to 
encourage  her  by  mute  assurances  of  faithful  guardianship ;  and 


INF E LICE.  157 

even  when  the  voices  outside  cheered  him  into  one  quick  bark 
of  recognition,  he  made  no  effort  to  leave  the  prostrate  form. 

"  All  in  the  dark  ?  Where  is  your  lantern  ? "  asked  Mr. 
Lindsay,  as  he  climbed  through  the  window. 

"  It  went  out  very  soon  after  you  left.  Can  you  find  me, — 
or  shall  I  try  to  come  to  you  ?  " 

"  Keep  still  Regina.  Come  up  the  ladder  Esau,  and  hold 
your  torch  so  that  I  can  see.  It  is  black  as  Egypt  inside." 

In  a  few  moments  the  ruddy  glare  streamed  in,  and  showed 
the  anxious  face  of  the  sexton,  and  the  figure  of  Mr.  Lindsay 
groping  from  pew  to  pew.  Before  that  cheerful  red  light,  how 
swiftly  the  trooping  spectres  and  grim  phantoms  that  had  peo 
pled  the  gloom,  iled  away  forever  !  What  a  blessed,  comforting 
atmosphere  of  love  and  protection  seemed  to  encompass  her, 
when  after  handing  one  of  the  pew  cushions  to  the  sexton,  Mr. 
Lindsay  came  to  the  spot  where  she  lay. 

"  How  are  your  wounds?  " 

"  My  foot  is  very  stiff  and  sore,  but  if  you  will  let  me  hold 
your  arm,  I  can  hop  along." 

"  Can  you, — my  crippled  snow-bird  ?  Suppose  I  have  a  dif 
ferent  use  for  my  strong  arms  ?  " 

He  lifted  her  very  gently,  but  apparently  without  effort,  and 
carried  her  to  the  window. 

"  Go  down  Esau,  set  the  torch  in  the  ground,  and  bold  the 
ladder, — press  it  hard  against  the  wall.  I  am  coming  down 
backward, — and  if  I  should  miss  a  round,  you  must  be  ready  to 
help  me.  Come  Hero,  jump  out  first,  and  clear  the  way. 
Steady  now  Esau." 

Placing  his  charge  on  the  broad  sill,  Mr.  Lindsay  stepped  out, 
established  himself  securely  on  the  ladder,  and  drawing  the  girl 
to  the  ledge,  took  her  fitmly  in  his  arms,  balancing  himself  with 
.some  difficulty,  as  he  did  so. 

"  Now  say  your  prayers.  Clasp  your  hands  tight  around  my 
neck,  and  shut  your  eyes." 

His  chin  rested  upon  her  forehead,  as  she  clung  closely  about 
his  neck,  and  they  commenced  the  perilous  descent. 


I58  INFELICE. 

Once  he  wavered,  almost  tottered,  but  recovered  himself, 
and  from  the  fierce  beating  of  his  heart,  and  the  labored  sound 
of  his  deep  breathing  she  knew  that  it  cost  him  great  physical 
exertion  ;  but  at  last  his  close  strain  relaxed, — he  reached  the 
ground  safely  and  stood  resting  a  moment,  while  a  sigh  of  re 
lief  escaped  him. 

"  Esau  put  the  end  of  the  torch  sideways  in  Hero's  month, — 
mind — so  that  it  will  not  burn  him  ;  and  lay  the  cushion  on  the 
plank.  No  ! — that  is  wrong.  Turn  the  torch  the  other  way, 
so  that  as  he  walks,  the  wind  will  blow  the  flame  in  the  oppo 
site  direction, — away  from  his  face.  Take  it  Hero !  That's 
a  noble  fellow  !  Now  home  Hero." 

When  the  cushion  had  been  adjusted  on  the  broad  plank 
brought  for  the  purpose,  Mr.  Lindsay  laid  Regina  upon  it, 
threw  a  blanket  over  her,  and  bidding  the  sexton  take  one 
end  of  the  plank,  he  lifted  the  other,  and  they  began  the  march. 

11  Not  that  way  Hero,  although  it  is  the  nearest.  Truly  the 
'  longest  way  round,  is  the  shortest  way '  home,  this  time  ;  for 
we  could  not  twist  about  among  tke  graves,  and  must  go  down 
the  avenue,  though  it  is  somewhat  obstructed  by  fallen  boughs. 
Come  here  Hero  and  walk  ahead  of  us.  Now  Regina  you  can 
shut  your  eyes  and  imagine  you  are  riding  in  a  palankeen,  as 
the  Hindustanee  ladies  do,  when  they  go  out  for  fresh  air. 
The  motion  is  exactly  the  same,  as  you  will  find  some  day, 
when  you  come  to  Rohilcund  or  Oude,  to  see  Padre-Sahib— 
Lindsay.  You  shall  then  have  a  new  dooley  all  curtained  close 
with  rose-colored  silk, — but  I  can't  promise  that  the  riding  will 
prove  any  more  easy  than  this  cushioned  plank." 

What  a  stab  seemed  each  word,  bringing  back  all  the  bitter 
suffering  his  departure  would  cause, — and  reviving  the  grief, 
from  which  the  storm  had  temporarily  diverted  her  thoughts. 

"  You  are  not  going  to-night  ?  You  will  not  try  to  start, 
after  this  dreadful  storm  ?  "  she  said,  in  an  unsteady  voice. 

"  Yes  I  am  obliged  to  go,  in  order  to  keep  an  appointment 
for  to-morrow  night — in  New  York ; — otherwise  I  would  wait 
a  day,  to  learn  the  extent  of  the  damage,  for  I  am  afraid  the 


INFELICE.  159 

hurricane  has  made  sad  havoc.  Esau  tells  me  the  roof  and  a 
portion  of  the  market  house  was  carried  away,  and  it  was  the 
most  violent  gale  I  have  ever  known." 

They  had  reached  the  street  and  wete  approaching  the  gate 
of  the  Parsonage,  when  Hero  turned  back,  dropped  the  torch 
at  Mr.  Lindsay's  feet,  and  shook  his  head  vigorously,  rubbing 
his  nose  with  his  paw. 

"  Poor  fellow  !  can't  you  stand  it  any  longer  ?  It  must  have 
scorched  him,  as  it  burnt  low.  Brave  fellow  !  " 

"  Oh  Douglass  !  is  that  you  ?"  cried  an  eager  voice  at  some 
distance. 

"  Yes  mother." 

Mrs.  Lindsay  ran  to  meet  them. 

"  Did  you  find  her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  am  bringing  her  home." 

"  Bringing  her — oh  my  God  !     Is  she  dead  ?  " 

"  No  she  is  safe." 

"My  son  don't  try  to  deceive  me.  What  is  the  matter? 
You  are  carrying  something  on  a  litter." 

"  Why  do  you  not  speak  Regina,  and  assure  her  of  your 
safety  ?  " 

Mrs.  Lindsay  had  groped  her  way  to  the  side  of  her  son,  and 
put  her  hand  on  the  figure  stretched  upon  the  cushion. 

"  I  only  sprained  my  foot  badly,  and  Mr.  Lindsay  was  so 
good  as  to  bring  me  home  this  way." 

"  Have  they  got  her?"  shouted  Hannah,  who  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Hargrove  had  found  it  impossible  to  keep  pace  with 
Mrs.  Lindsay. 

"  Oh — it  is  a  corpse  you  are  fetching  home ! "  she  added, 
with  a  genuine  wail,  as  in  the  gloom  she  dimly  saw  the  outline 
of  several  persons. 

"  Nobody  is  dead,  but  we  need  a  light.  Run  back  and  get 
a  candle." 

Thankful  that  life  had  been  spared,  no  more  questions  were 
asked  until  they  reached  the  house,  and  deposited  their  burden 
on  the  lounge  in  the  dining-room. 


160  INF E  LICE. 

Then  Mr.  Lindsay  briefly  explained  what  had  occurred,  and 
superintended  the  anointing  and  binding  up  of  the  bruised  ankle, 
now  much  swollen. 

As  Hannah  knelt,  holding  the  foot  in  her  broad  palm,  to 
enable  Mrs.  Lindsay  to  wrap  it  in  a  linen  cloth  saturated  with 
.arnica,  the  former  bent  her  gray  head  and  tenderly  kissed  the 
wounded  member.  She  had  been  absent  for  a  few  minutes 
during  the  recital  of  the  accident,  and  now  asked  : 

"  Where  were  you,  that  you  could  not  get  home  before  the 
storm  ?  Heaven  knows  that  cloud  grumbled  and  gave  warning 
long  enough." 

"  Hannah  she  was  in  the  church,  and  when  she  tried  to  get 
out,  it  was  too  late." 

"  In  the  church  ! — Why  I  was  in  the  yard,  trying  to  get  a 
breath  of  air,  not  twenty  minutes  before  the  cloud  rolled  up 
like  a  mountain  of  ink, — and  I  saw  nobody." 

Regina  understood  her  nervous  start,  and  the  eager  question 
ing  of  her  eyes. 

"  I  was  in  the  organ  gallery,  and  falling  down  the  steps,  I 
hurt  myself." 

"  Honey — did  you  see  me  ?  " 

Her  fingers  closed  so  spasmodically  over  the  girl's  foot,  that 
she  winced  from  the  pressure. 

"  I  saw  you  walking  about  the  church-yard,  and  would  have 
come  home  with  you,  if  I  had  thought  the  storm  was  so  near. 
Please  Hannah  bring  me  some  cool  water." 

She  pitied  the  old  woman's  evident  confusion  and  anxiety, 
and  rejoiced  when  Mr.  Hargrove  changed  the  topic. 

"I  am  very  sorry,  Douglass,  that  I  cannot  accompany 
you  as  far  as  New  York.  WThen  I  promised  this  after 
noon  to  do  so,  of  course  I  did  not  anticipate  this  storm. 
There  may  have  been  lives  lost,  as  well  as  steeples  blown 
down,  and  it  is  my  duty  not  to  leave  my  people  at  such  a 
juncture.  If  it  were  not  for  the  sailing  of  the  steamer,  I 
would  insist  on  your  waiting  a  day  or  so,  in  order  that  I 
might  go  with  you  and  have  a  personal  interview  with  Dr. 


.    INFELICE.  !6i 

Pitcairns.  I  ought  to  have  thought  of,  and  attended  to  that 
matter  before  this." 

"  Pray  do  not  feel  annoyed  Uncle,  it  can  be  easily  arranged 
by  letter.  Moreover,  as  my  mother  goes  with  me  to  Boston,  it 
would  not  be  right  to  leave  Regina  here  alone,  in  her  present 
helpless  condition." 

"  Do  not  think  of  me  a  moment,  Mr.  Hargrove.  Go  with 
mm  and  stay  with  him,  as  long  as  you  can ;  I  would  if  I  could. 
Hannah  will  take  care  of  me." 

"  My  dear,  I  think  of  my  duty,  and  that  keeps  me  at  home. 
Douglass  I  will  write  a  short  note  to  Pitcairns,  and  you  must 
explain  matters  to  him.  Elise  it  is  ten  o'clock,  and  you  have 
not  much  time." 

He  went  into  the  library,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  hurried  up-stairs 
to  put  on  her  bonnet, — calling  Hannah  to  follow  and  receive 
some  parting  injunctions.  Kneeling  by  the  lounge  Mr.  Lind 
say  took  one  of  the  girl's  hands. 

"  Regina  I  desired  and  intended  to  have  a  long  talk  with  you 
this  afternoon,  but  could  not  find  you ;  and  now  I  have  no 
time,  except  to  say  good-by.  You  will  never  know  how  hard 
it  is  for  me  to  leave  my  dear  little  friend  ;  I  did  not  realize  it 
myself,  until  to-night." 

"Then  why  will  you  go  away?  Can't  you  stay,  and  serve 
God  as  well,  by  being  a  minister  in  this  country?  Can't  you 
change  your  mind  ?  " 

She  raised  herself  on  her  elbow,  and  tears  gushed  over 
her  cheeks,  as  twining  her  fingers  around  his,  she  looked  all 
the  intense  loving  appeal,  that  words  could  never  have  ex 
pressed. 

Just  then  his  stony  Teraph — Duty,  smiled  very  benignantly 
at  the  aching  heart  he  laid  upon  her  dreary  cold  altar. 

"  Don't  tempt  me  to  look  back  after  putting  my  hand  to  the 
plough.  I  must  do  my  duty,  though  at  bitter  cost.  Will  you 
promise  never  to  forget  your  friend  Douglass?" 

"  How  could  I  ever  forget  you  ?  Oh  if  I  could  only  go  with 
you ! " 


l62  INFELICE. 

His  fine  eyes  sparkled,  and  drawing  her  hand  across  his 
cheek,  he  said  eagerly  : 

"  Do  you  really  wish  it  ?  Think  of  me, — write  to  me,  and 
love  me,  and  some  day — if  it  please  God  to  let  me  come  home, 
— you  may  have  an  opportunity  of  going  back  with  me  to  my' 
work  in  India.  Would  you  be  willing  to  leave  all,  and  help 
me  among  the  heathens?" 

"  All  but  mother.  You  come  next  to  my  mother.  Oh  it  is 
hard  that  I  must  be  separated  from  the  two  I  love  best ! " 

For  a  moment  she  sobbed  aloud. 

"You  are  only  a  young  girl  now,  but  some  day  you  will  be 
a  woman,  and  I  hope  and  believe  a  very  noble  woman.  Until 
then,  we  shall  be  separated,  but  when  you  are  grown,  I  shall 
see  you  again,  if  God  spares  my  life.  Peculiar  and  unfortu 
nate  circumstances  surround  you  ;  there  are  trials  ahead  of  you 
my  darling,  and  I  wish  I  could  shield  you  from  them,  but  it 
seems  impossible,  and  I  can  only  leave  you  in  God's  hands, 
praying  continually  for  you.  You  say  you  love  me  next  to 
your  mother  ?  All  I  ask  is,  that  you  will  allow  no  one  else, — 
no  new  friend  to  take  my  place.  When  I  see  you  again,  years 
hence,  I  shall  hope  to  hear  you  repeat  those  words, — 'next 
to  my  mother.'  Far  away  in  the  midst  of  Hindustan,  my 
thoughts  and  hopes  will  travel  back  and  centre  in  my  white 
dove.  Oh  child  !  my  heart  is  bound  to  you  forever." 

He  drew  her  head  to  his  shoulder,  and  held  her  close,  and 
as  in  the  church  when  kneeling  before  the  altar,  she  heard 
whispers  which  only  God  interpreted. 

Mrs.  Lindsay  came  back  equipped  for  her  journey,  and  Mr. 
Hargrove  entered  at  the  same  moment,  but  neither  spoke.  At 
length,  fully  aware  of  their  presence,  the  young  missionary 
raised  his  head,  and  placing  his  hand  under  Regina's  chin, 
looked  long  at  the  spirituelle  beautiful  face,  as  if  he  wished  to 
photograph  every  feature  on  his  memory.  Without  removing 
his  eyes,  he  said  : 

"  Uncle  take  care  of  her  always.  .  She  is  very  dear  to  me. 
ICeep  her  just  as  she  is, — in  soul — *  unspotted  from  the  world.'  " 


INF  ELI  CE.  163 

Then  his  lips  quivered,  and  in  a  tremulous  voice  he  added  : 

"  God  bless  you  my  darling  !     My  pure  holy  dove." 

He  kissed  her,  rose  instantly  and  left  the  room. 

Mrs.  Lindsay  came  to  the  lounge,  and  while  the  tears  rolled 
over  her  cheeks,  she  said  tenderly : 

"  My  dear  child  it  seems  unkind  to  desert  you  in  your 
crippled  condition,  but  I  feel  assured  Peyton  and  Hannah  will 
nurse  you  faithfully ;  and  every  moment  that  I  can  be  with 
Douglass  seems  doubly  precious  now." 

"  Do  you  think  I  would  keep  you,  even  if  I  could, — from 
him  ?  Oh  !  don't  you  wish  we  were  going  with  him  to  India?" 

"  Indeed  I  do,  from  the  depths  of  my  soul.  What  shall  we  do 
without  our  Bishop  ?  " 

Bending  over  the  girl,  the  mother  wept  unrestrainedly,  but 
Mr.  Hargrove  called  from  the  threshold : 

"  Come  Elise." 

As  Mrs.  Lindsay  turned  to  leave  the  room,  she  beckoned  to 
Hannah. 

"  Carry  her  upstairs  and  undress  her  ;  and  if  she  suffers  much 
pain,  don't  fail  to  send  for  the  Doctor." 

A  white  image  of  hopeless  misery,  Regina  lay  listening  till  the 
sound  of  departing  steps  became  inaudible,  and  when  Hannah 
left  the  room,  the  girl  groaned  aloud  in  the  excess  of  her  grief : 

"  I  did  not  even  say  good-by — I  did  not  once  thank  him 
for  all  he  did  for  me,  in  the  storm  !  And  now  1  know, — I  feel 
I  shall  never  see  him  again  !  Oh  Douglass  !  " 

The  glass-door  leading  into  the  flower-garden  stood  open,  and 
Mr.  Lindsay  who  had  been  watching  her  from  the  cover  of  the 
clustering  honeysuckle,  stepped  back  into  the  room. 

With  a  cry  of  delight,  she  held  out  her  arms. 

"  Dear  Mr.  Lindsay — I  shall  thank  you,  and  pray  for  you, — 
and  love  you  as  long  as  I  live  !  " 

He  put  a  small  packet  in  her  hand,  and  whispered  : 

"  Here  is  something  I  wish  you  to  keep  until  you  are  eighteen. 
Do  not  open  it  before  that  time,  unless  I  give  you  permission, 
01  unless  you  know  that  I  am  dead." 


1 64  IN  FELICE. 

He  drew  her  tenderly  to  his  heart,  and  his  lips  pressed  hei 
cheek.  Then  he  said  brokenly  : 

"  O  God  !  be  merciful  in  all  things  to  my  darling  !  " 

A  moment  after,  she  heard  his  rapid  footsteps  on  the  grav 
elled  walk,  followed  by  the  clang  of  the  gate ;  then  a  great  lone 
liness  as  of  death  fell  upon  her. 

There  are  indeed  sorrows  "  that  bruise  the  heart  like 
hammers,"  and  age  it  suddenly, — prematurely.  In  subsequent 
years  Regina  looked  back  to  the  incidents  of  this  eventful 
Sabbath,  and  marked  it  with  a  black  stone  in  the  calendar  of 
memory,  as  the  day  on  which  she  "put  away  childish  things," 
and  began  to  see  life  and  the  world  through  new,  strange  dis 
enchanting  lenses,  that  dispelled  all  the  gilding  glamour  of 
childhood,  and  unexpectedly  let  in  a  gray  dull  light  that  chilled 
and  awed  her. 

With  tearless  but  indescribably  mournful  eyes,  she  looked 
vacantly  at  the  door  through  which  her  friend  had  vanished, — 
as  it  then  seemed,  forever, — and  finding  that  her  own  remarks 
were"  entirely  unheard,  unheeded,  Hannah  touched  her  shoulder. 

"  Poor  thing  !    Are  you  ready  to  let  me  carry  you  upstairs  ?  " 

"Thank  you,  but  I  am  not  going  upstairs  to-night.  I  want 
— to  stay  here,  because  I  am  too  heavy  to  be  carried  up  and 
down,  and  I  can  get  about  better  from  here.  Bring  a  pillow 
and  some  bedclothes.  I  can  sleep  on  this  lounge." 

"I  shall  be  scolded  if  you  don't  go  to  bed." 

"  Let  me  alone  Hannah.  I  intend  to  stay  where  I  am.  Bring 
the  things  I  need.  Nobody  shall  scold  you  if  you  will  only  do 
as  I  ask." 

"  Then  I  shall  have  to  make  a  pallet  on  the  floor,  for  Miss 
Elise  gave  positive  orders  that  I  should  sleep  in  your  room  until 
she  came  back.  Don't  you  mean  to  undress  yourself?" 

"No.  Please  unfasten  my  clothes  and  then  leave  them  as 
they  are.  You  must  not  sleep  on  the  floor.  Roll  in  the  hall 
sofa,  and  it  will  make  a  nice  bed." 

There  was  no  alternative,  and  when  Mr.  Hargrove  returned 
at  midnight,  he  deemed  it  useless  to  reprimand  or  expostulate, 


INF  ELI CE.  165 

as  Regina  declared  herself  very  comfortable,  and  pleaded  for 
permission  to  remain  until  morning. 

Looking  very  sad  and  careworn,  the  pastor  stood  for  some 
minutes  leaning  on  his  gold-headed  cane.  As  he  bade  her  good 
night  and  turned  from  the  lounge,  she  put  her  hand  on  the  cane. 

"Please  Sir  lend  me  this  until  morning.  Hannah  sleeps 
soundly,  and  if  I  am  forced  to  wake  her,  I  can  easily  do  so  by 
tapping  on  the  floor  with  your  cane." 

"  Certainly  dear  ;  keep  it  as  long  as  you  choose.  But  I  am 
afraid  none  of  us  will  sleep  much  to-night.  It  is  a  heavy  tria1 
to  give  up  Douglass.  He  is  my  younger,  better  self." 

He  walked  slowly  away,  and  she  thought  he  looked  more  aged 
and  infirm,  than  she  had  ever  seen  him  ;  his  usually  erect  head 
drooping,  as  if  bowed  by  deep  sorrow. 

For  an  hour  after  his  departure,  his  footsteps  resounded  in  the 
room  overhead,  as  he  paced  to  and  fro,  but  when  the  distant  indis 
tinct  echo  of  the  town  clock  told  two, — all  grew  quiet  upstairs. 

In  the  dining-room  the  shaded  lamp  burned  dimly,  and 
Regina  could  see  the  outline  of  Hannah's  form  on  the  sofa,  and 
knew  from  the  continual  turning  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the 
other,  that  the  old  woman  was  awake,  though  no  sound  escaped 
her. 

Engrossed  by  a  profound  yet  silent  grief  that  rendered  sleep 
impossible,  Regina  lay  with  her  hands  folded  over  the  small 
packet,  wondering  what  it  contained  ; — regretting  that  the  con 
ditions  of  the  gift  prohibited  her  opening  it  for  so  many  long  years, 
• — and  striving  to  divest  herself  of  a  haunting  foreboding  that 
she  had  looked  for  the  last  time  on  the  bright  benignant  counte 
nance  of  the  donor,  who  was  indissolubly  linked  with  the  happiest 
memories  of  her  lonely  life. 

Imagination  magnified  the  perils  of  the  tedious  voyage  that 
included  two  oceans,  and  as  if  to  intensify  and  blacken  the 
horrors  of  the  future,  all  the  fiendish  tragedies  of  Delhi,  Meerut, 
and  Cawnpore  were  vividly  revived  among  the  missionaries  to 
whom  Mr.  Lindsay  was  hastening.  Deeply  interested  in  the 
condition  of  a  people  whose  welfare  was  so  dear  to  his  heart, 


1 66  INFELICE. 

she  had  eagerly  read  all  the  mission  reports,  and  thus  imbibed 
a  keen  aversion  to  the  Sepoys,  who  had  become  synonymous 
with  treachery  and  ingenious  atrocity. 

Is  there  an  inherent  affinity  between  brooding  shadows  of 
heart  and  soul,  and  that  veil  of  physical  darkness  that  wraps  the 
world,  during  the  silent  reign  of  night  ?  Why  do  sad  thoughts 
like  corporeal  suffering  and  disease  grow  more  intense,  more 
tormenting,  with  the  approach  of  evening's  gloom?  Who  has 
not  realized  that  trials,  sorrows,  bereavements  which  in  daylight 
we  partly  conquer  and  put  aside, — rally  and  triumph — over 
whelming  us  by  the  aid  of  night  ?  Why  are  the  sick  always 
encouraged,  and  the  grief-laden  rendered  more  cheerful  by  the 
coming  of  dawn  ?  Is  there  some  physical  or  chemical  founda 
tion  for  Figuier's  wild  dream  of  reviving  sun-worship,  by  referring 
all  life  to  the  vivifying  rays  of  the  King  Star?  Does  the  mind 
emit  gloomy  sombre  thoughts  at  night,  as  plants  exhale  car. 
bonic  acid  ?  What  subtle  connection  exists  between  a  cheerful 
spirit,  and  the  amount  of  oxygen  we  inhale  in  golden  daylight  ? 
Is  hope,  radiant  warm  sunny  hope,  only  one  of  those  "  beings 
woven  of  air  by  light," — whereof  Moleschott  wrote  ? 

To  Regina,  the  sad  vigil  seemed  interminable,  and  soon 
after  the  clock  struck  four,  she  hailed  with  inexpressible  de 
light  the  peculiarly  shrill  crowing  of  her  favorite  white  Leghorn 
cock,  which  she  knew  heralded  the  advent  of  day.  The  China 
geese  responded  from  their  corner  of  the  fowl-yard,  and  amid 
the  reveille  of  the  poultry,  Hannah  rose,  crept  stealthily  to  the 
table  and  extinguished  the  lamp.  Intently  listening  to  every 
movement,  Regina  felt  assured  she  was  dressing  rapidly, — and 
in  a  few  moments  the  tremulous  motion  of  the  iloor,  and  the 
carefully-guarded  sound  of  the  bolt  turned  slowly,  told  her  that 
the  old  woman  had  started  to  fulfil  her  promise. 

Having  fully  determined  her  own  course,  the  girl  lost  no 
time  in  reflection,  but  hastily  fastening  her  clothes,  took  her 
shoes  in  one  hand,  the  cane  in  the  other,  and  limping  to  the 
glass  door  softly  unlocked  it,  loosened  the  outside  Venetian 
blinds,  and  sat  down  on  the  steps  leading  to  the  garden.  Tak- 


INFELICE:  167 

ing  off  the  bandage,  she  slipped  her  shoe  on  the  sprained  foot, 
and  wrapping  a  light  white  shawl  around  her,  made  her  way 
slowly  down  the  walk  that  wound  toward  the  church. 

Unaccustomed  to  the  cane,  she  used  it  with  great  difficulty, 
and  the  instant  her  wounded  foot  touched  the  ground,  sharp 
twinges  renewed  the  remonstrance  that  had  been  silent  until 
she  attempted  to  walk. 

A  waning  moon  hung  above  the  tree-tops  on  the  western 
boundary  of  the  enclosure,  and  its  wan  spectral  lustre  lit  up  the 
churchyard,  showing  Regina  the  tall  form  of  Hannah,  who  car 
ried  a  spade  or  short  shovel  on  her  shoulder,  and  had  just 
passed  through  the  gate,  leaving  it  open.  Following  as  rapidly 
as  she  dared,  in  the  direction  of  the  iron  railing,  the  child  was 
only  a  few  yards  in  the  rear,  when  the  old  woman  stopped  sud 
denly, — then  ran  forward, — and  a  cry  like  that  of  some  baffled 
wild  beast  broke  the  crystal  calm  of  the  morning  air. 

"  The  curse  of  God  is  upon'  it  !     The  poplar  is  gone  !  " 

Gliding  along,  Regina  reached  the  outer  edge  of  the  railing, 
and  creeping  behind  the  broken  granite  shaft  which  shielded 
her  from  observation,  she  peered  cautiously  around  the  corner, 
and  saw  that  the  noble  towering  tree  had  been  struck  by  light 
ning  and  fired.  Whether  shivered  by  electricity,  or  subse 
quently  blown  down  by  the  fury  of  the  gale,  none  ever  knew ; 
but  it  appeared  to  have  been  twisted  off  about  two  feet  above 
the  ground,  and  in  its  fall  smote  and  shattered  the  marble 
angel,  which  a  few  hours  before  had  hovered  with  expanded 
wings  over  a  child's  grave.  A  wreath  of  blue  smoke  curled 
and  floated  from  the  heart  of  the  stump,  showing  that  the  roots 
were  burning,  and  the  ivy  and  periwinkle  so  luxuriant  on  the 
previous  day,  were  now  a  mass  of  ashes  and  cinders. 

On  her  knees  sank  Hannah,  raking  the  hot  embers  into  a 
heap,  and  at  last  she  bent  her  giay  head  almost  to  the  ground. 
Lifting  something  on  the  end  of  the  spade,  she  uttered  a  low 
wail  of  despair  : 

"  Melted — burnt  up  !  I  thought  it  was  tin — it  must  have  been 
lead  !  Either  the  curse  of  God, — or  the  work  of  the  devil ! " 


1 68  INFELICE. 

She  fell  back  like  one  smitten  with  a  stunning  blow,  and 
sobs  shook  her  powerful  frame. 

Very  near  the  ground  the  tree  had  contained  a  hollow, 
hidden  by  the  rank  lush  creepers,  and  in  this  cavity  she  had  de 
posited  a  small  can,  cylindrical  in  form,  and  similar  in  appear 
ance  to  those  generally  used  for  hermetically  sealed  mush 
rooms.  Upon  it  several  spadefuls  of  earth  had  been  thrown, 
to  secure  it  from  detection,  should  prying  eyes  discover  the  ex 
istence  of  the  hollow. 

All  that  remained  was  a  shapeless  lump  of  molten  metal. 

Along  the  east  a  broad  band  of  yellow  was  rapidly 
mounting  into  the  sky,  and  in  the  blended  light  of  moon 
and  day,  the  churchyard  presented  a  melancholy  scene  of 
devastation. 

The  spire  and  belfry  had  fallen  upon,  and  in  front  of  the 
church,  and  the  long  building  stood  like  a  dismasted  vessel 
among  the  billowy  graves,  that  swelled  as  a  restless  sea  around 
its  gray  weather-beaten  sides.  Here  and  there  ancient  head 
stones  had  been  blown  down  on  the  mounds  they  guarded  ; 
and  one  venerable  willow  in  the  centre  of  a  cluster  of  graves, 
had  been  torn  from  the  earth,  and  its  network  of  roots  lifted 
until  they  rested  against  a  stone  cross. 

Awed  by  the  solemn  influence  of  the  time  and  place,  and 
painfully  reminded  of  her  own  peril  on  the  previous  night, 
Regina  stepped  down  irom  the  base  of  the  monument,  and  ap 
proached  the  figure  crouching  over  the  blasted  smoking  roots. 
Tl  ere  was  no  rustle  of  grass  or  leaf  as  she  limped  across  the 
dewy  turf,  but  warned  by  that  mysterious  magnetic  instinct 
which  so  often  announces  some  noiseless,  invisible  human 
presence,  Hannah  lifted  and  turned  her  head.  With  a  scream 
of  superstitious  tei  ror,  she  sprang  to  her  feet. 

Very  ghostly  the  girl  certainly  appeared,  in  her  snowy  mull 
muslin  dress  and  white  shawl,  as  she  leaned  forward  on  the  cane, 
and  looked  steadily  at  the  old  woman.  Her  long  black  hair 
loosened  and  disordered  by  tossing  about  all  night,  hung  over 
her  shoulders  and  gave  a  weird  almost  supernatural  aspect  to 


INFELICE.  169 

the  blanched  and  sorrowful  young  face,  which  in  that  strange 
chill  light  seemed  well  nigh  as  rigid  and  pallid  as  a  corpse. 

"Hannah  Hinton  !" 

"  God  have  mercy  !     Who  are  you  ?  " 

Hannah  seized  the  spade  and  brandished  it,  with  hands  that 
shook  from  terror. 

"  You  wicked  woman, — do  you  want  to  kill  me  ?  Put  down 
that  spade." 

Regina  advanced,  but  the  old  woman  retreated,  still  waving 
the  spade. 

"  Hannah  are  you  afraid  of  me  ?  " 

"  Good  Lord  !     Is  it  you — Regina  ?  " 

"Your  sin  makes  you  a  coward.  Did  you  really  think  me  a 
ghost  ?  " 

"  It  is  true, — I  am  afraid  of  everything  now,  even  of  my  own 
shadow,  and  once,  I  was  so  brave.  But  what  are  you  doing 
here  ?  I  thought  you  were  crippled  ?  What  are  you  tracking 
me  for  ?  " 

She  threw  down  the  spade,  ran  forward,  and  seized  the  girl's 
shoulder,  while  a  scowl  of  mingled  fear  and  rage  darkened  her 
countenance. 

"You  are  watching — trailing  me  like  a  bloodhound  !  Is  it 
any  of  your  business  where  I  go  ?  Suppose  I  do  choose  to 
come  here  and  say  my  prayers  among  the  dead,  while  other 
folks  are  sound  asleep  in  their  beds, — who  has  the  right  to 
hinder  me  ?  " 

"  Don't  tell  stories  Hannah.  If  you  really  said  your 
prayers,  you  would  never  have  come  here  to  sell  your  soul  to 
Satan." 

Tightening  her  clutch,  the  old  woman  shook  her,  as  if  she  had 
been  a  slender  weed,  and  an  ashen  hue  settled  upon  her 
wrinkled  features,  as  she  cried  in  an  unnaturally  shrill  quaver 
ing  tone  : 

"  Aha  !  you  were  eavesdropping  yesterday  in  the  church — 
how  I  wish  to  God  it  had  all  blown  down  on  you  !  And  you 
watched  me, — you  mean  to  disgrace  me, — to  ruin  me, — to 


!  7o  INFELICE. 

arrest  me  !     You  do  !     But  you  shall  not !     I  will  strangle  you 
first!" 

"Take  your  hands  off  my  shoulders,  Hannah.  Do  you 
think  you  can  scare  me  with  such  wild  desperate  threats  ?  In 
the  first  place,  I  am  not  afraid  to  die, — and  in  the  second  you 
know  very  well  you  dare  not  kill  me.  Let  go  my  shoulder. 
you  hurt  me." 

Very  white  but  fearless,  the  young  face  was  lifted  to  hers, 
and  before  those  wrathful  glittering  eyes  that  flashed  like  blue 
steel,  Hannah  quailed. 

"  Will  you  promise  not  to  betray  me  ?  " 

"  I  will  promise  nothing,  while  you  threaten  me.  Sit  down, 
you  are  shaking  all  over  as  if  you  had  an  ague.  When  I  came 
here  I  had  no  intention  of  betraying  you ;  I  only  wanted  to 
prevent  you  from  committing  a  sin.  Are  you  going  to  have  a 
spasm  ?  Do  sit  down." 

Hannah's  teeth  were  chattering  violently,  and  her  trembling 
limbs  seemed  indeed  unable  to  support  her.  When  she  sank 
down  on  the  stone  base  of  the  shaft,  Regina  stood  before  her, 
leaning  more  heavily  upon  the  cane. 

"  I  heard  all  that  you  said  yesterday,  yet  I  was  not  '  eaves 
dropping.'  You  came  and  stood  under  the  window  where  I  sat, 
and  if  you  had  looked  up  would  have  seen  me.  When  I 
learned  you  were  engaged  in  a  wicked  plot,  I  determined  to 
try  to  stop  you  before  it  was  too  late.  I  followed  you  here, 
hoping  that  you  would  give  that  paper  to  me,  instead  of  to  that 
bold  bad  man  ;  for  though  you  did  very  wrong,  I  can't  believe 
that  you  have  a  wicked  cruel  heart." 

She  paused,  but  the  only  response  was  a  deep  groan,  and 
Hannah  shrouded  her  face  in  her  arms. 

"  Hannah  did  my  mother  ever  injure  you, — ever  harm  you  in 
any  way  ?  " 

"  Yes, — she  caused  me  to  steal, — and  I  shall  hate  her  as  long 
as  I  live.  I  was  as  honest  as  an  angel,  until  she  came  that 
freezing  night, — so  many  years  ago, — and  showed  me  by  her 
efforts,  her  anxiety  to  get  the  paper, — how  valuable  it  was. 


INF  ELI  CE.  171 

Beside,  it  was  on  her  account  that  my  nephew  went  to  destruc 
tion  ;  and  I  was  sure  all  the  blame  and  suspicion  would  fall  on 
her, — it  seemed  so  clear  that  she  stole  the  paper.  I  knew  Mr. 
Hargrove  gave  her  a  copy  of  it,  and  I  only  wanted  to  sell  the 
paper  itself  to  the  old  General  in  Europe, — because  I  was  poor, 
and  had  not  money  enough  to  stop  work.  I  have  not  had 
a  happy  day  since  ; — my  conscience  has  tormented  me.  I  have 
carried  a  mountain  of  lead  upon  my  soul,  day  and  night, — and 
at  last  when  Peleg  came,  and  I  was  about  to  get  my  gold — the 
Lord  interfered  and  took  it  out  of  my  hands.  Oh  !  it  is  an 
awful  thing  to  shut  your  eyes  and  stop  your  ears,  and  run  down 
a  steep  place  to  meet  the  devil  who  is  waiting  at  the  bottom  for 
you, — and  to  feel  yourself  suddenly  jerked  back  by  something 
which  you  know  Almighty  God  has  sent  to  stop  you  !  He  sent 
that  lightning  to  burn  up  the  paper,  and  I  feel  that  His  curse 
will  follow  me  to  my  grave." 

"  Not  if  you  earnestly  repent,  and  pray  for  His  forgiveness." 

Hannah  raised  her  gray  head,  and  gazed  incredulously  at  the 
pale  delicate  face, — into  the  violet  eyes  that  watched  her  with 
almost  tender  compassion. 

"  Oh  child  !  when  our  hands  are  tied,  and  we  are  so  helpless 
we  can't  do  any  more  mischief, — who  believes  in  our  repent 
ance  ?  v 

11 1  do,  Hannah  ; — and  how  much  more  merciful  is  God  ?  " 
"  You   don't  mean — that  you  would  ever  trust  me, — ever 
believe  in  me  again  ?  " 

Her  hand  caught  the  white  muslin  dress,  and  her  haggard 
wrinkled  face  was  full  of  eager  breathless  supplication. 

"Yes  Hannah  I  would.  I  do  not  believe  you  will  ever  steal 
again.  Suppose  the  lightning  had  struck  you  as  well  as  the  tree 
where  you  hid  the  stolen  paper, — what  do  you  think  would 
have  become  of  your  poor  wicked  soul  ?  You  intended  to  sell 
that  paper  to  a  person  who  hates  my  mother,  and  who  would 
have  used  it  to  injure  her  ;  but  she  is  in  God's  hands, — and  you 
ought  to  be  glad  that  this  sin  at  least  was  prevented.  In  a  few 
days  you  are  going  away,  far  out  to  the  west,  you  say, — where 


172 


INFELICE. 


we  shall  probably  never  see  or  hear  from  you  again,  unless  you 
choose  to  write  us.  Until  you  are  gone,  I  shall  keep  all  this 
secret.  Mrs.  Lindsay  never  shall  know  anything  about  it,  but 
if  Mr.  Hargrove  believes  my  mother  took  that  paper,  it  is  my 
duty  to  her,  to  tell  him  the  truth  ; — and  this  I  must  do  after 
you  leave  us.  I  promise  he  shall  suspect  nothing  while  you 
remain  here.  Can  you  ask  me  to  do  more  than  this  for  you  ?  " 

Hannah  was  crying  passionately,  and  attempted  no  answer, 
save  by  drawing  the  girl  closer  to  her,  as  if  she  wanted  to  take 
the  slender  figure  in  her  brawny  arms. 

"  I  am  sorry  for  you  Hannah, — sorry  for  my  dear  mother, — 
sorry  for  myself.  The  storm  came  and  put  an  end  to  all  the 
mischief  you  meant  to  do, — so  let  us  be  thankful.  You  say 
my  mother  has  a  copy  ;  and  it  would  have  injured  her,  if  the 
original  paper  had  been  sold.  Then  you  have  harmed  only 
yourself.  Don't  cry, — and  don't  say  anything  more.  Let  it 
all  rest ; — I  shall  never  speak  to  you  again  on  the  subject. 
Hannah  will  you  please  help  me  back  to  the  house  ?  My  foot 
pains  me  dreadfully, — and  I  begin  to  feel  sick  and  faint." 

In  the  mellow  orange  light  that  had  climbed  the  sky,  and 
was  flooding  the  world  with  a  mild  glory,  wherein  the  wan  moon 
waned  ghostly, — the  old  woman  led  the  white  figure  toward 
the  Parsonage.  When  they  reached  the  little  gate,  Regina 
grasped  the  supporting  arm,  and  a  deadly  pallor  overspread  her 
features. 

"  Where  are  you — Hannah  ?     I  cannot  see  " 

The  blue  eyes  closed,  she  tottered, — and  as  Hannah  caught 
and  bore  her  up, — a  swift  heavy  step  on  the  gravel  caused  her 
to  glance  over  her  shoulder. 

"What  is  the  matter,  Aunt  Hannah?  You  look  ill  and 
frightened.  Is  that, — Minnie's  child  ?  " 

"  Hush  ! — our  game  is  all  up.  For  God's  sake  go  away  until 
seven  o'clock, — then  I  will  explain.  Don't  make  a  noise  Feleg. 
I  must  get  her  in  the  house  without  waking  any  one.  If  Mr. 
Hargrove  should  see  us,  we  are  ruined." 

As  Hannah  strode  swiftly  toward  the  glass  door,  bearing  the 


INFELICE. 


173 


slight  form  in  her  stout  arms,  the  stranger  pressed  forward, 
eagerly  scrutinizing  the  girl's  face ;  but  at  this  juncture  Hero 
barking  violently,  sprang  down  the  walk,  and  the  intruder  has 
tily  retreated  to  the  church-yard,  securing  the  gate  after  he 
passed  through. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

jHE  steamer  sailed  promptly,  on  the  Thursday  subse 
quent  to  Mrs.  Lindsay's  departure  from  the  Parsonage, 
but  she  had  been  absent  ten  days,  detained  by  the 
illness  of  a  friend  in  Boston. 

Impatiently  her  return  was  anticipated  by  every  member  of 
the  household,  and  when  a  telegram  announced  that  she  might 
be  expected  on  the  following  morning,  general  rejoicing  suc 
ceeded  the  gloom  which  had  hung  chill  and  lowering  over  the 
diminished  family  circle.  Under  Hannah's  faithful  cautious 
treatment,  Regina  had  sufficiently  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
the  sprain,  to  walk  once  more  without  much  pain,  though  she 
still  limped  perceptibly  ;  but  a  nameless,  formless  foreboding  of 
some  impending  evil, — some  baleful  influence, — some  grievous 
calamity  hovering  near,  rendered  her  particularly  anxious  for 
Mis.  Lindsay's  comforting  presence. 

The  condition  of  the  church,  which  was  undergoing  a  com 
plete  renovation,  as  well  as  repairing  of  the  steeple,  prevented 
the  usual  services,  and  this  compulsory  rest  and  leisure  seemed 
singularly  opportune  for  Mr.  Hargrove,  who  had  been  quite 
indisposed  and  feeble  for  some  days.  The  physician  ascribed 
his  condition  to  the  lassitude  induced  by  the  excessive  heat, 
and  Regina  attributed  his  pale  weary  aspect  and  evident  pros 
tration  to  grief  for  the  loss  of  his  nephew  and  adopted  son  ; 
but  Hannah  looked  deeper,  shook  her  grizzled  head,  and 
"  wished  Miss  Elise  would  come  home." 

The  pastor's  eyes  which  had  long  resented  the  exaggerated 


1 74  INFELICE. 

taxation  imposed  upon  them  by  years  of  study,  had  recently 
rebelled  outright,  and  he  spoke  of  the  necessity  of  visiting  New 
York,  to  consult  an  eminent  oculist,  who  Mrs.  Lindsay  wrote, 
had  gone  to  Canada,  but  would  return  in  September,  when  he 
hoped  to  examine  and  undertake  the  treatment  of  her  brother's 
'  eyes. 

1  During  Thursday  morning,  the  minister  lay  upon  his  library 
sofa,  while  Regina  read  aloud  for  several  hours,  but  in  the  after 
noon,  receiving  a  summons  to  attend  a  sick  man  belonging  to 
his  church,  he  persisted  in  walking  to  a  distant  part  of  the  town, 
to  discharge  what  he  considered  a  clerical  obligation. 

In  vain  Regina  protested,  assuring  him  that  the  heat  and  fa 
tigue  would  completely  prostrate  him.  He  only  smiled,  patted 
her  head,  and  said  cheerfully  as  he  put  on  his  hat : 

"  Is  the  little  girl  wiser  than  her  guardian  ?  And  has  she  not 
yet  learned  that  a  pastor's  duty  knows  neither  heat  nor  cold,— 
neither  fatigue,  nor  bodily  weaknesses  ?  " 

"  I  am  so  glad  Mrs.  Lindsay  will  come  to-morrow.  She  can 
keep  you  at  home,  and  make  you  take  care  of  yourself." 

Holding  his  sleeve,  she  followed  him  to  the  front  door,  and 
detained  him  a  moment,  to  fasten  in  the  button-hole  of  his  coat 
a  tuberose  and  sprig  of  heliotrope,  his  favorite  flowers. 

"  Thank  you  my  dear.  You  have  learned  all  of  Elise's 
pretty  petting  tricks,  and  some  day  you  will  be  I  hope,  just 
such  a  noble,  tender-hearted  woman.  While  I  am  gone,  look 
after  the  young  guineas  ;  I  have  not  seen  them  since  yesterday. 
I  shall  not  stay  very  long." 

He  walked  away,  and  she  went  out  among  the  various  pets 
in  the  poultry  yard. 

It  was  late  in  August,  but  the  afternoon  was  unusually  close 
and  warm,  and  argosies  of  frail  creamy  clouds  with  saffron  shad 
ows  seemed  becalmed  in  the  still  upper  air,  which  was  of  that 
peculiar  blue  that  betokens  turbid  ether,  and  hints  at  showers. 

About  sunset,  Regina  rolled  the  large  easy-chair  out  on  the 
verandah  at  the  west  of  the  library,  and  placing  a  table  in  front 
of  it,  busied  herself  in  arranging  the  pastor's  evening  meal.  It 


INFELICE.  175 

consisted  of  white  home-made  lightbread,  a  pineapple  of  golden 
butter,  deftly  shaped  and  printed  by  her  own  slender  hands, — a 
glass  bowl  filled  with  honey  from  the  home  hives, — honey  that 
resembled  melted  amber  in  cells  of  snow, — a  tiny  pyramid  of 
baked  apples,  and  a  goblet  of  iced  milk. 

Upon  a  spotless  square  of  damask  daintily  fringed,  she  placed 
the  supper,  and  in  the  centre  a  crystal  vase  filled  with  beautiful 
Cloth  of  Gold  and  Prince  Albert  roses,  among  which  royal 
crimson  and  white  carnations  held  up  their  stately  heads,  and 
exhaled  marvellous  fragrance.  Upon  the  snowy  napkin  beside 
the  solitary  plate,  she  left  a  Grand  Duke  jasmine  lying  on  the 
heart  of  a  rose-geranium  leaf. 

"  Has  he  come  ?"  asked  Hannah,  throwing  wide  the  Venetian 
blinds. 

"  Not  yet ;  but  he  must  be  here  very  soon." 

"  Well,  1  am  going  to  milk.  Dapple  has  been  lowing  these 
ten  minutes,  to  let  me  know  I  am  behind  time.  I  waited  to 
see  if  a  cup  of  tea  would  be  wanted,  but  it  is  getting  late.  If  he 
should  ask  for  it,  the  kettle  is  boiling,  and  I  guess  you  can  make 
it  in  a  minute.  I  have  lighted  the  lamp  and  turned  it  down  low." 

She  went  toward  the  cattle-shed,  swinging  her  copper  milk- 
pail,  which  was  burnished  to  a  degree  of  ruddy  glory  beautiful 
to  contemplate  ; — and  which  alas  !  is  rarely  seen  in  this  age  of 
new  fashions,  and  new-fashioned  utensils. 

"  Come  Hero,  let  us  go  and  meet  the  master." 

But  Regina  had  not  left  the  verandah  before  Mr.  Hargrove 
came  slowly  toward  the  easy-chair,  walking  wearily  she  thought, 
as  if  spent  with  fatigue. 

"  How  tired  you  are  !     Give  me  your  hat  and  cane  " 

"  Yes  dear — very  tired.  I  had  something  like  vertigo,  accom 
panied  by  severe  palpitation  as  I  came  home,  and  was  obliged 
to  sit  on  the  roadside  till  it  passed." 

"  Let  me  send  for  Dr.  Melville." 

"You  silly  soft-souled  young  pigeon!  These  attacks  are 
not  dangerous, — merely  annoying  while  they  last." 

"  Perhaps  a  cup  of  tea  will  strengthen  you  ?  " 


I76  INFELICE. 

"  Thank  you  dear,  but  I  believe  I  prefer  some  cool  water." 

She  brought  a  tumbler  of  iced  water,  and  a  stool  which  she 
placed  beneath  his  feet. 

"  How  delicious  !  worth  ail  the  tea  in  China  !  all  the  wine 
in  Spain." 

He  handed  back  the  empty  glass,  and  sank  down  in  his  com 
fortable  chair. 

"  How  did  you  find  Mr.  Needham  ?  " 

"  Much  worse  than  when  I  saw  him  last.  He  had  another 
hemorrhage  to-day,  and  is  evidently  sinking.  I  should  not  be 
surprised  if  I  were  recalled  before  to-morrow,  for  his  poor  wife 
is  almost  frantic  and  wished  me  to  remain  all  night ;  but  I 
knew  you  were  lonely  here." 

The  exertion  of  speaking,  wearied  him,  and  he  laid  his  head 
back,  and  closed  his  eyes. 

"Won't  you  eat  your  supper?  It  will  help  you ;  and  your 
milk  is  already  iced." 

"  I  will  try  after  a  while,  when  I  have  rested  a  little.  My 
child  you  are  very  good  to  anticipate  my  wants.  I  noticed  all 
you  have  done  for  me,  and  the  flowers  are  lovely;  so  deli- 
ciously  sweet  too." 

He  opened  his  eyes,  took  the  Grand  Duke,  smelled  it,  smiled 
and  stroked  her  hand  which  rested  on  the  arm  of  his  chair. 

Scarlet  plumes  and  dashes  of  cirrus  cloud  that  glowed  like 
sacrificial  fires  upon  the  altar  of  the  west,  paled,  flickered,  died 
out  in  ashen  gray ;  and  a  moon  more  gold  than  silver  hung  in 
shimmering  splendor  among  the  cloud  ships, — lending  a  daz 
zling  fringe  to  their  edges, — and  making  quaint  arabesque 
patterns  of  gilt  embroidery  on  the  verandah  floor,  where  the 
soft  light  fell  through  interlacing  vines  of  woodbine  and  honey 
suckle.  With  the  night  came  silence,  broken  only  by  the  sub 
dued  plaint  of  the  pigeons  in  the  neighboring  yardf — and  the 
cooing  of  a  pair  of  pet  ring-doves  that  slept  in  the  honeysuckle, 
and  were  kept  awake  by  the  moonshine  which  invaded  their 
nest,  and  tempted  them  to  gossip.  After  awhile  a  whippowill 
which  haunted  the  church-yard  elms,  drew  gradually  nearer, 


INF2+LICE.  177 

finally  settling  upon  a  deodar  cedar  in  the  flower  garden, 
whence  it  poured  forth  its  lonely  miserere  wail. 

Mr.  Hargrove  sat  so  still,  that  Regina  hoped  he  had  fallen 
asleep,  but  very  soon  he  said : 

"  My  dear  you  need  not  fan  me." 

"  I  hoped  you  were  sleeping,  and  that  a  nap  would  refresh 
you." 

He  took  her  hand,  pressed  it  gently,  and  said  with  the  grave 
tenderness  peculiar  to  him  : 

"What  a  thoughtful  good  little  nurse  you  are?  Almost  as 
watchful  and  patient  as  Elise.  Have  you  had  your  supper  ?  " 

"All  that  I  want, — some  bread  and  milk.  Hero  and  I  ate 
our  supper  before  you  came.  Shall  I  bring  your  slippers  ?  " 

"  Thank  you — I  believe  not.  Before  long  I  will  go  to  sleep. 
Regina  open  the  organ,  and  play  something  soft  and  holy, — • 
with  the  Tremulant.  Sing  me  that  dear  old  *  Protect  us 
through  the  coming  night,'  which  my  Douglass  loves  so  well." 

"  I  wish  I  could, — but  you  know  Sir,  it  is  a  Quartett, — and 
beside — I  should  never  get  through  my  part ; — it  reminds  me 
so  painfully  of  the  last  time  we  all  sang  it." 

"  Well  then,  my  little  girl,  something  else  ;  <  Oh  that  I  had 
wings  like  a  dove.'  To-night  I  am  almost  like  a  weary  child, 
and  only  need  a  lullaby  to  hush  me  to  sleep.  Go  dear,  and 
sing  me  to  rest." 

Reluctantly  she  obeyed,  brightened  the  library  lamp,  and  sat 
down  before  the  cabinet,  organ  which  had  been  brought  over  to 
the  Parsonage  for  safe  keeping,  while  the  church  was  being  re 
paired.  As  she  pulled  out  the  stops,  Hannah  touched  her. 

"  Has  he  finished  his  supper?  Can  I  move  the  dishes  and 
table  ?  " 

"  Not  yet.     He  is  too  tired  just  now  to  eat." 

"  Then  I  will  wait  here.  To  tell  you  the  truth — I  have  a 
queer  feeling  that  scares  me, — makes  my  flesh  creep.  While 
I  was  straining  the  milk  just  now,  a  screech-owl  flew  on  the 
top  of  the  dairy,  and  its  awful  death-warning  almost  froze  the 
blood  in  my  veins.  How  I  do  wish  Miss  Elise  was  here !  I 
8* 


1 78  INFELiCE. 

hope  it  is  not  a  sign  of  a  railroad  accident  to  her, — or  that  the 
vessel  is  lost  that  carried  her  boy  ! " 

"Hush — you  superstitious  old  Hannah!  I  often  hear  that 
screech-owl,  and  it  is  only  hunting  for  mice.  Mrs.  Lindsay  will 
come  to-morrow." 

Her  fingers  wandered  over  the  keys,  and  in  a  sweet  pure 
and  remarkably  clear  voice  she  sang :  "  Oh  that  I  had  wings." 
With  great  earnestness  and  pathos  she  rendered  the  final  "  to 
be  at  rest," — lingering  long  on  the  "Amen." 

Then  she  began  one  of  Mozart's  symphonies,  and  from  it 
glided  away  into  favorite  selections  from  Rossini's  "Mo'ise." 

Once  afloat  upon  the  mighty  tide  of  sacred  music  she  drifted 
on  and  on,  now  into  a  requiem,  now  a  "  Gloria,"  and  at  last 
the  grand  triumphant  strains  of  the  pastor's  favorite  "  Jubilate" 
• — rolled  through  the  silent  house, — out  upon  the  calm  lustrous 
summer  night. 

Of  the  flight  of  time,  she  had  taken  no  cognizance,  and  as 
she  closed  the  organ  and  rose,  she  heard  the  clock  striking 
nine,  and  saw  that  Hannah  was  nodding  in  a  corner  of  the  sofa. 

Surprised  at  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  she  stepped  out  on  the 
verandah,  and  approached  the  arm-chair. 

The  moon  had  sunk  so  low  that  its  light  had  been  diminished, 
but  the  reflection  from  the  library  lamp  prevented  total  dark 
ness.  Mr.  Hargrove  had  not  moved  from  the  posture  in  which 
she  left  him,  and  she  said  very  softly : 

"  Are  you  asleep  ?  " 

He  made  no  answer,  and  unwilling  to  arouse  him,  she  sat 
down  on  the  step  to  wait  until  he  finished  his  nap. 

As  the  moon  went  down,  a  light  breeze  sprang  from  some 
blue  depths  of  the  far  west,  and  began  to  skim  the  frail  foamy 
clouds  that  drifted  imperceptibly  across  the  star-lit  sky ;  and  to 
the  crystal  fingers  of  the  dew,  the  numerous  flowers  in  the  gar 
den  below  yielded  a  generous  tribute  of  perfume,  that  blended 
into  a  wave  of  varied  aromas,  and  rolled  to  and  fro  in  the  cool 
night  air.  Calm,  sweet  and  holy,  the  night  seemed  a  very  beni- 
son,  dispensing  peace. 


IN  FELICE.  I79 

Watching  the  white  fire  of  constellations  burning  in  the  vault 
above  her,  Regina  wondered  whether  it  were  a  fair  night  fai 
out  at  sea, — if  the  same  glittering  stellar  clusters  swung  above 
the  deck  of  the  noble  vessel  that  had  been  for  many  days  upon 
the  ocean, — or  if  the  storm  fiend  held  cyclone  carnival  upon 
the  distant  Atlantic  ? 

Her  thoughts  wandered  toward  the  future,  that  terra  incog 
nita  which  Mr.  Lindsay's  vague  words  : — "  there  are  trials 
ahead  of  you,"— had  peopled  with  dread  yet  intangible  phan 
toms,  whose  spectral  shadows  solemnly  presageful,  hovered 
over  even  the  present.  Why  was  her  own  history  a  sealed 
volume, — her  father  a  mystery, — her  mother  a  wanderer  in  for 
eign  lands  ? 

From  this  most  unprofitable  train  of  reflection,  she  was  grad 
ually  recalled  by  the  restless  singular  behavior  of  her  dog.  He 
had  been  lying  near  the  table,  with  his  head  on  his  paws,  but 
rose,  whined, — came  close  to  his  mistress  and  caught  her  sleeve 
between  his  teeth, — his  usual  mode  of  attracting  her  atten 
tion. 

"  What  is  it  Hero  ?     Are  you  hungry  ?  " 

He  barked,  ran  to  the  easy-chair,  rubbed  his  nose  against 
the  pastor's  hand, — came  back  whining  to  Regina,  and  finally 
returning  to  the  chair,  sat  down,  bent  his  head  to  the  pastor's 
feet,  and  uttered  a  prolonged  and  dismal  howl. 

An  undefinable  horror  made  the  girl  spring  toward  the  chair. 

The  sleeper  had  not  moved,  and  stooping  over,  she  put  her 
hand  on  his  forehead.  The  cold  damp  touch  terrified  her, 
and  v/ith  a  cry  of,  "  Hannah  !  O  Hannah  !  "  she  darted  into 
the  library,  and  seized  the  lamp.  By  its  light  held  close  to  the 
quiet  figure,  she  saw  that  the  eyes  were  closed  as  in  slumber, 
and  the  lips  half  parted,  as  though  in  dreaming  he  had  smiled  ; 
but  the  features  were  rigid,  the  hands  stiff  and  cold,  and  she 
could  feel  no  flutter  in  the  wrists  or  temples. 

"  Oh  my  God  !  he  is  dead  ! "  screamed  Hannah,  wringing 
her  hands,  and  uttering  a  succession  of  shrieks  ;  while  like  a 
statue  of  despair  the  girl  stood,  staring  almost  vacantly  at  the 


I  So  INFELICE. 

white  placid  face  of  the  dead.  At  last,  shuddering  from  head 
to  foot,  she  exclaimed  : 

"  Run  for  Dr.  Melville  !  Run  Hannah  !  you  can  go  fastei 
now,  than  I  could." 

"  What  is  the  use  ?     He  is  dead  !  Stone  dead  !  " 

"Perhaps  not — he  may  revive.  O  Hannah  !  why  don't  you 
go?" 

"  Leave  you  alone  in  the  house, — with  a  corpse  ?  " 

"Run — run  !  Tell  the  doctor  to  hurry.  He  may  do  some 
thing." 

As  the  old  servant  disappeared,  Regina  fell  on  her  knees 
and  seizing  the  right  hand,  carried  it  to  her  lips ;  then  began 
to  chafe  it  violently  between  her  own  trembling  palms. 

"  O  Lord — spare  him  a  little  while  !  Spare  him  till  his  sister 
comes  ?  " 

She  rushed  into  the  library,  procured  some  brandy  which 
was  kept  in  the  medicine  chest,  and  writh  the  aid  of  a  spoon 
tried  to  force  some  down  his  throat,  but  the  muscles  refused  to 
relax,  and  pouring  the  brandy  on  her  handkerchief,  she  rubbed 
his  face  and  the  hand  she  had  already  chafed.  In  the  left  he 
tightly  held  the  jasmine,  as  when  he  spoke  to  her  last,  and  she 
shrank  from  touching  those  fingers. 

Finding  no  change  in  the  fixed  white  face,  she  took  off  his 
shoes  and  rubbed  his  feet  with  mustard,  but  no  effect  encour 
aged  her,  and  finally  she  sat,  praying  silently, — holding  the  feet 
tenderly  against  her  heart. 

How  long  lasted  that  lonely  vigil  with  the  dead,  she  never 
knew.  Hope  deserted  her,  and  by  degrees  she  realized  the 
awful  truth,  that  the  arrival  of  the  physician  so  impatiently  ex 
pected,  would  bring  no  succor.  How  bitterly  she  upbraided 
herself  for  leaving  him  a  moment,  even  though  in  obedience  to 
his  wishes.  Perhaps  he  had  called,  and  the  organ  had  drowned 
his  voice. 

Had  he  died  while  she  sang,  and  was  his  spirit  already  with 
God,  when  she  repeated  the  words, — "  Far  away  in  the  regions 
of  the  blest?"  When  she  came  on  tiptoe  and  asked  "Are 


INFELICE.  181 

you  asleep?" — was  he  indeed  verily  "Asleep  in  Jesus?" 
While  she  waited,  fearful  of  disturbing  his  slumber,  was  his  re 
leased  and  rejoicing  soul  nearing  the  pearly  battlements  of  the 
City  of  Rest — led  by  God's  most  pitying  and  tender  Angel, — 
loving  yet  silent  Death  ? 

When  will  humanity  reject  and  disown  the  hideous  ruthless 
monster  its  own  disordered  fancy  fashioned, — and  accept  in 
stead,  the  beautiful  oriental  Azrael, — the  most  ancient  "  Help 
of  God," — who  is  sent  in  infinite  mercy,  to  guide  the  weary 
soul  into  the  blessed  realm  of  Peace  ? 

"  O  Land  !     O  Land  ! 

For  all  the  broken-hearted, 
The  mildest  herald  by  our  fate  allotted — 

Beckons,  and  with  inverted  torch  doth  stand, 
To  lead  us  with  a  gentle  hand 

Into  the  Land  of  the  great  departed, — 
Into  the  Silent  Land." 

When  the  solemn  silence  that  hung  like  a  pall  over  the  Par 
sonage  was  broken  by  the  hurried  tread  of  many  feet,  and  the  con 
fused  sound  of  strange  voices,  Regina  seemed  to  be  aroused  from 
some  horrible  lethargy,  and  gazed  despairingly  at  the  Doctor. 

"  It  is  too  late.  You  can't  do  anything  for  him  now,"  she 
said,  clinging  to  his  feet,  as  an  attempt  was  made  to  lift  them 
from  her  lap. 

"  He  must  have  been  dead  several  hours,"  answered  Dr. 
Melville. 

"None  but  God  and  the  angels  know  when  he  died.  I 
thought  he  had  gone  to  sleep  ;  and  so  indeed  he  had." 

Hannah  had  spread  the  alarm,  while  searching  for  the 
doctor,  and  very  soon  Mr.  Hargrove's  personal  friends,  and 
some  of  the  members  of  his  congregation  thronged  the  library, 
into  which  the  body  of  the  minister  had  been  removed. 

An  hour  afterward, — Dr.  Melville  having  searched  for  the 
girl  all  over  the  house,  found  her  crouched  on  the  steps  leading 
down  to  the  flower  garden.  She  sat  with  her  arm  around 


1 82  INFELICE. 

Hero's  neck,  and  her  head  bowed  against  him.     Seating  him 
self  beside  her,  the  physician  said  : 

"  Poor  child — this  is  an  awful  ordeal  for  you,  and  in  Dr. 
Hargrove's  death, — you  have  lost  a  friend,  whom  the  whole 
world  cannot  replace.  He  was  the  noblest  man,  the  purest 
Christian  I  ever  knew, — and  if  the  church  has  a  hundred  pastors 
in  future,  none  will  ever  equal  him.  He  married  me, — he 
baptized  my  children, — and  when  I  buried  my  wife, — his  voice 
brought  me  the  most  comfort,  the  " 

His  tone  faltered,  and  a  brief  silence  ensued. 

"Regina  I  wish  you  would  tell  me  as  nearly  as  you  can,  how 
he  seemed  to-day, — and  how  it  all  happened  I  could  get 
nothing  satisfactory  out  of  old  Hannah." 

She  described  the  occurrences  of  the  morning,  his  debility 
and  entire  lack  of  appetite, — and  the  long  walk  in  the  after 
noon,  followed  by  the  attack  of  vertigo  and  palpitation,  to 
which  he  alluded  after  his  return.  When  she  concluded  her 
recital  of  the  last  terrible  scene  in  the  melancholy  drama,  Dr. 
Melville  sighed,  and  said  : 

"  It  has  ended  just  as  I  feared,  and  predicted.  His  heart 
has  been  affected  for  some  time,  and  not  a  month  ago,  I  urged 
him  to  give  up  his  pulpit  work  for  a  while  at  least,  and  try  rest 
and  change  of  air.  But  he  answered  that  he  considered  his 
work  imperative,  and  when  he  died,  it  would  be  with  the 
harness  on.  He  would  not  permit  me  to  allude  to  the  subject 
in  the  presence  of  his  family,  because  he  told  me  he  did  not 
wish  to  alarm  his  sister,  who  is  so  devoted  to  him, — or  render 
the  parting  with  his  nephew  more  painful,  by  adding  apprehen 
sions  concerning  his  health.  I  fear  his  grief  at  the  loss  of 
Douglass,  has  hastened  the  end." 

"  When  Mrs.  Lindsay  comes  to-morrow,  it  will  kill  her," 
groaned  Regina,  whose  soul  seemed  to  grow  sick,  as  she 
thought  of  the  devoted  fond  sister,  and  the  anguish  that  awaited 
her  already  bruised  and  aching  heart. 

"  No — sorrow  does  not  kill  people, — else  the  race  would  be 
come  extinct." 


INF  ELI  CE.  !83 

"  It  has  killed  Mr.  Hargrove." 

"Not  sorrow, — but  the  disease,  which  sorrow  may  have 
aggravated." 

"  Mrs.  Lindsay  would  not  go  to  India  with  her  son,  because 
she  said  she  could  not  leave  her  brother  whose  sight  was  fail 
ing,  and  who  needed  her  most.  Now  she  has  lost  both.  Oh!i 
I  wish  I  could  run  away  to-morrow,  somewhere, — anywhere — • 
out  of  sight  of  her  misery  ! " 

"Some  one  must  meet  her  at  the  train,  and  prepare  her  for 
the  sad  news.  My  dear  child  you  would  be  the  best  person  for 
that  melancholy  task." 

"I  ?  Never  !  I  would  cut  off  my  tongue  before  it  should 
stab  her  heart  with  such  awful  news  !  Are  people  ever  pre 
pared  for  trouble  like  this  ?  " 

"  Well — somebody  must  do  it ;  but  like  you  I  am  not  brave 
enough  to  meet  her  with  the  tidings.  When  it  is  necessary,  I 
can  amputate  limbs,  and  do  a  great  many  apparently  cruel 
things, — but  when  it  comes  to  breaking  such  bad  news  as  this, 
— I  am  a  nervous  coward.  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  kind  tender- 
nearted  friend  of  the  family,  and  I  will  request  him  to  take  a 
carriage  and  meet  her  to-morrow.  Poor  thing !  what  a  wel 
come  home  ! " 

Soon  after  he  left  her,  she  heard  the  whistle  of  the  night-ex 
press,  which  arrived  simultaneously  with  the  departure  of  the 
outward  train  bound  South,  and  she  knew  that  it  was  eleven 
o'clock. 

Hannah  was  in  the  kitchen  talking  with  Esau  the  sexton,  and 
when  several  gentlemen  who  offered  to  remain  until  morning, 
carne  out  on  the  verandah, — leaving  the  blinds  of  the  library 
windows  wide  open, — Regina  rose  and  stole  away  to  escape 
their  observation.  .? 

Although  walking  swiftly,  she  caught  sight  of  the  table  in  the 
middle  of  the  room,  and  of  a  mass  of  white  drapery,  on  which 
the  lamp-light  fell  with  ghostly  lustre.  Twelve  hours  before, 
she  had  sat  there,  reading  to  the  faithful  kind  friend  whose  af 
fectionate  gaze  rested  all  the  while  upon  her  ;  now  stiff  and  icy 


184  INFELICE. 

he  was  sleeping  his  last  sleep  in  the  same  spot,— and  his  soul  ? 
Safely  resting  after  the  feverish  toil  and  strife  of  Time,  amid  the 
palms  of  Eternal  Peace.  Not  the  peace  of  Nirwana  ; — neither 
the  absolute  absorption  of  one  school  of  philosophy, — nor  the 
total  extinction  inculcated  by  a  yet  grosser  system.  Not  the 
v?gue  insensate  Peace  of  Pantheism,  but  the  spiritual  rest  of  a 
heaven  of  reunion  and  of  recognition,  promised  by  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord,  who  conquering  death,  in  that  lonely  rock-hewn 
Judaean  tomb, — won  immortal  identity  for  human  souls.  Not 
the  succession  of  progressive  changes  that  constitute  the  Here 
after  of — 

"  This  age  that  blots  out  life  with  question-marks, 
This  nineteenth  century  with  its  knife  and  glass 
That  make  thought  physical,  and  thrust  far  off 
The  Heaven,  so  neighborly  with  man  of  old, 
To  voids  sparse-sown  with  alienated  stars." 

Among  the  multitudinous  philosophic,  psychologic,  biologic 
systems  that  have  waxed  and  waned,  dazzled  and  deluded, — 
from  the  first  utterances  of  Gotama, — to  the  very  latest  of  the 
advanced  Evolutionists,  is  there  any  other  than  the  Christian 
solution  of  the  triple-headed  riddle — Whence  ? — Wherefore  ? 
— Whither  ?  that  will  deliver  us  from  the  devouring  Sphinx  De 
spair  ; — or  yield  us  even  shadowy  consolation  when  the  pinions 
of  gentle  yet  inexorable  death  poise  over  our  household  dar 
ling, — and  we  stand  beside  the  cold  silent  clay,  which  natural 
affection, — and  life-long  companionship  render  so  inexpressibly 
precious  ? 

When  we  lower  the  coffin  of  our  beloved  is  there  soothing 
comfort  in  the  satisfactory  reflection  that  perhaps  at  some  dis 
tant  epoch,  by  the  harmonious  operation  of  "  Natural  Selec 
tion  "  and  by  virtue  of  the  "  Conservation  of  Force,"  the  "Sur 
vival  of  the  Fittest  "  will  certainly  ensure  the  "  Differentiation  " 
the  "  Evolution  "  of  our  buried  treasure  into  some  new,  strange, 
superior  type  of  creature,  to  us  forever  unknown  and  utterly 
unrecognizable  ?  Tormented  by  aspirations  which  neither  time 


INFELICE.  !85 

nor  space,  force  nor  matter  will  realize  or  satisfy, — consumed 
by  spiritual  hunger  fiercer  than  Ugolino's,  we  are  invited  to 
seize  upon  the  Barmecide's  banquet  of,  "The  Law  which  for 
mulates  organic  development  as  a  transformation  of  the  homo 
geneous  into  the  heterogeneous  ; "  and  that  "  this  universal 
transformation  is  a  change  from  indefinite  homogeneity  to  deft- 
inite  heterogeneity  ;  and  that  only  when  the  increasing  muti- 
'formity  is  joined  with  increasing  definiteness,  does  it  constitute 
Evolution,  as  distinguished  from  other  changes  that  are  like  it, 
in  respect  of  increasing  heterogeneity." 

Does  this  wise  and  simple  pabulum  cure  spiritual  starvation  ? 

"  God  said,  let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness. 
And  the  Lord  God  formed  man  of  the  dust  of  the  ground,  and 
breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life  ;  and  man  became  a 
living  soul."  Nay — thunders  Science. — put  away  such  childish 
superstition,  smite  such  traditionary  idols ; — man  was  first  made 
after  the  similitude  of  a  marine  ascidian,  and  once  swam  as  a 
tadpole  in  primeval  seas. 

In  all  the  wide  universe  of  modern  speculation  there  remains 
no  unexplored  nook  or  cranny,  where  an  immortal  human  soul 
can  find  refuge  or  haven.  Having  'hunted  it  down,  trampled 
and  buried  it  as  one  of  the  little  "  inspired  legendary  "  foxes 
that  nibble  and  bruise  the  promising  sprouts  of  the  Science 
Vineyard, — what  are  we  requested  to  accept  in  lieu  of  the 
doctrine  of  spiritual  immortality  ?  "  Natural  Evolution." 

One  who  has  long  been  regarded  as  an  esoteric  in  the 
Eleusis  of  Science,  and  who  ranks  as  a  crowned  head  among 
its  hierophants,  frankly  tells  us  :  "  What  are  the  core  and  es 
sence  of  this  hypothesis  Natural  Evolution  ?  Strip  it  naked, 
and  you  stand  face  to  face  with  the  notion  that  not  alone  the 
more  ignoble  forms  of  animalcular  or  animal  life,  not  alone  the 
nobler  forms  of  the  horse  and  lion,  not  alone  the  exquisite  and 
wonderful  mechanism  of  the  human  body, — but  that  the  human 
mind  itself, — emotion,  intellect,  will,  and  all  their  phenomena 
— were  once  latent  in  a  fiery  cloud.  Many  who  hold  it  would 
probably  assent  to  the  position  that  at  the  present  moment  all 


1 86  INFEUCE. 

our  philosophy,  all  our  poetry,  all  our  science,  all  our  art — 
Plato,  Shakespeare,  Newton,  and  Raphael — are  potential  in  the 
fires  of  the  sun."  ...  A  different  pedigree  from  that  offered 
us  by  Moses  and  the  Prophets,  Christ  and  the  Apostles, — but 
does  it  light  up  the  Hereafter  ? 

We  are  instructed  that  our  instincts  and  consciousness  dwell 
in  the  "  sensory  ganglia," — that  "  an  idea  is  a  contraction,  a 
motion,  a  configuration  of  the  intermediate  organ  of  sense," — 
that  "memory  is  the  organic  registration  of  the  effects  of  im 
pressions," — and  that  the  "cerebrum"  is  the  seat  of  ideas,  the 
home  of  thought  and  reason.  But  when  "gray-matter"  that 
composes  this  thinking  mechanism  becomes  diseased,  and  the 
cold  touch  of  death  stills  the  action  of  fibre  and  vesicle,  what 
light  can  our  teachers  pour  upon  the  future  of  that  coagulated 
substance  where  once  reigned  hope,  ambition,  love  or  hate? 
Those  gray  granules  that  were  memory — become  oblivion. 
Certainly  physiology  has  grown  to  giant  stature  since  the  days 
of  St.  Paul, — but  does  it  bring  to  weeping  mourners  any  more 
comfort  than  the  doctrine  lie  taught  the  Corinthians  ? 

Does  the  steel  Law  Mill  of  Progressive  Development  grind 
us  either  tonic  or  balm  for  the  fatal  hours  of  sorest  human 
trial?  We  have  learned  that  "the  heart  of  man  is  construct 
ed  upon  the  recognized  rules  of  hydraulics,  and  with  its  great 
tubes,  is  furnished  with  common  mechanical  contrivances, 
valves." 

But  when  the  valvular  action  is  at  rest  under  the  stern  finger 
of  Death,  can  all  the  marvellous  appliances  of  this  intensely  and 
wonderfully  mechanical  age  force  one  ruddy  drop  through  those 
great  tubes, — or  coax  one  solitary  throb,  where  God  has  said 
"be  still"? 

To  the  stricken  mother  bowed  over  the  waxen  image  of  her 
darling,  is  there  any  system,  theory  or  creed  that  promises  aught 
of  the  Great-Beyond,  comparable  to  the  Christian's  sublime 
hope  that  the  pet  lamb  is  safely  and  tenderly  folded  by  the 
Shepherd  Jesus  ? 

To  the  aching  heart  and  lonely  soul  of  sorrowing  Regina, 


INF E LICE.  187 

these  vexing  riddles  that  sit  open-mouthed  at  our  religious  and 
scientific  cross-roads, — brought  no  additional  gloom ;  for  with 
the  pure  holy  faith  of  unquestioning  childhood,  she  seemed  to 
see  beside  the  rigid  form  of  her  pastor  and  friend,  the  angel  who 
on  sea-girt  Patmos  bade  St.  John  :  "  Write,  Blessed  are  the 
dead  who  die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth  ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit, 
that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ;  and  their  works  do  follow 
them." 

Anxious  to  avoid  those  who  sat  within,  keeping  sad  watch, 
the  unhappy  girl  went  around  to  the  front  entrance,  and  sank 
down  on  the  lowest  step,  burying  her  face  in  her  hands. 

The  library  was  merely  a  continuation  of  the  hall  that  ran 
east  and  west,  through  the  centre  of  the  house,  and  though 
comparatively  remote  from  the  front  door,  was  immediately 
opposite,  and  from  the  sight  of  that  room,  Regina  shrank 
instinctively. 

Too  much  shocked  and  stunned  to  weep,  she  became  so  ab 
sorbed  by  thoughts  of  to-morrow's  mournful  mission,  that  she 
failed  to  notice  the  roll  of  wheels  along  the  street,  or  the  quick 
rattle  of  the  gate-latch.  The  sound  of  rapid  footsteps  and  the 
rustle  of  drapery  on  the  pebbled  walk,  finally  arrested  her  at 
tention,  and  rising  she  would  have  moved  aside,  but  a  hand 
seized  her  arm. 

11  What  is  the  matter  ?    How  is  my  brother  ?" 

"  Oh— Mrs.  Lindsay  !  " 

"  Something  must  have  happened.  I  had  such  a  presentiment 
of  trouble  at  home,  that  1  could  not  wait  till  to-morrow.  I 
came  on  the  night  express.  Why  is  the  house  all  lighted  up  ? 
Is  Peyton  ill  ?" 

Trembling  from  head  to  foot,  she  waited  an  instant,  but 
Regina  only  crouched  and  groaned,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  sprang 
up  the  steps.  As  she  reached  the  door,  the  light  in  the  library 
revealed  the  shrouded  table, — the  rigid  figure  resting  thereon, — 
and  a  piercing  wail  broke  the  silence  of  death. 

"  Merciful  God  ! — not  my  Peyton  ?  " 

Thrusting  her  fingers  into  her  ears,  Regina  fled  down  the  walk, 


1 88  hN FELICE. 

out  of  the  yard,  anywhere  to  escape  the  sound  and  sight  of  that 
broken-hearted  woman,  whose  cry  was  indeed  de  profundis. 

"  Console  if  you  will,  I  can  bear  it ; 
'Tis  a  well-meant  alms  of  breath  ; 
But  not  all  the  preaching  since  Adam 
Has  made  Death  other  than  Death." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

DREARY  sunless  December  day  had  drawn  to  a 
close,  prematurely  darkened  by  a  slow  drizzling  rain, 
that  brought  the  gloom  of  early  night,  where  sunset 
splendors  should  have  lingered,  and  deepened  the  sombre  des 
olation  that  mantled  the  Parsonage.  In  anticipation  of  the 
arrival  of  the  new  minister,  who  was  expected  the  ensuing  week, 
the  furniture  had  been  removed  and  sold,  the  books  carefully 
packed  and  temporarily  stored  at  the  warehouse  of  a  friend,  and 
even  the  trunks  containing  the  wearing  apparel  of  the  occupants, 
had  been  despatched  to  the  Railway  Depot,  and  checked  for 
transmission  by  the  night  express. 

The  melancholy  preparations  for  departure  were  completed, 
friends  had  paid  their  final  visits,  and  only  Esau  the  sexton 
waited  with  his  lantern,  to  lock  up  the  deserted  house,  and  take 
charge  of  the  keys. 

The  last  mournful  tribute  had  been  offered  at  the  grave  in  the 
churchyard,  where  the  beloved  pastor  slept  serenely ;  and  the 
cold  leaden  rain  fell  upon  a  mass  of  beautiful  flowers,  which 
quite  covered  the  mound,  that  marked  his  dreamless  couch. 

Since  that  farewell  visit  to  her  brother's  tomb,  Mrs.  Lindsay 
.seemed  to  have  lost  her  wonted  fortitude  and  composure,  and 
was  pacing  the  empty  library,  weeping  bitterly, — giving  vent  to 
the  long-pent  anguish,  which  daily  duties  and  business  details 
had  compelled  her  to  restrain. 

Impotent  to  comfort,  Regina  stood  by  the  mantlepiece,  gazing 
vacantly  at  the  wood  fire  on  the  hearth,  which  supplied  only  a 


INF R  LICE*  189 

dim  fitful  and  uncertain  light  in  the  bare  chill  room, — once  the 
most  cosey  and  attractive  in  the  whole  cheerful  house. 

How  utterly  desolate  every  thing  appeared  now, — with  only  the 
dreary  monotone  of  the  wintry  rain  on  the  roof,  and  the  occa 
sional  sob  that  fell  from  the  black-robed  figure  walking  to  and  fro. 

It  had  been  such  a  happy,  peaceful,  blessed  home,  where 
piety,  charity,  love,  taste,  refinement  and  education  all  loaned 
their  charms  to  the  store  of  witchery, — which  made  it  doubly 
sad  to  realize  that  henceforth  other  feet  would  tread  its  floors, 
other  voices  echo  in  its  garden  and  verandahs. 

To  the  girl  who  had  really  never  known  any  other  home, 
(save  the  quiet  convent  courts,)  this  Parsonage  was  the  dearest 
spot  she  had  yet  learned  to  love  ;  and  with  profound  sorrow 
she  now  prepared  to  bid  adieu  forever  to  the  haven,  where  her 
happiest  years  had  passed  like  a  rosy  dream. 

The  dreary  deserted  aspect  of  the  house  recalled  to  her  mind  : 

"  How  some  they  have  died,  and  some  they  have  left  me, 
And  some  are  taken  from  me  ;  all  are  departed  " — 

of  Charles  Lamb's  quaint  tender  "  Old  familiar  faces," — as  full 
of  melancholy  pathos  as  human  eyes  brimming  with  unshed 
tears ;  and  from  it,  her  thoughts  gradually  drifted  to  another 
poem, — which  she  had  first  heard  from  Mr.  Lindsay  during  the 
week  of  his  departure, — and  later  from  the  sacred  lips  that  were 
now  placidly  smiling  beneath  the  floral  cross  and  crown  in  the 
neighboring  churchyard. 

To-night  the  words  recurred  with  the  mournful  iteration  of 
some  dolorous  refrain  ;  and  yielding  to  the  spell,  she  leaned  her 
forehead  against  the  chimney-piece,  and  repeated  them  sadly 
and  slowly : 

"  '  We  sat  and  talked  until  the  night 

Descending,  filled  the  little  room  ; 
Our  faces  faded  from  the  sight — 

Our  voices  only  broke  the  gloom. 
We  spake  of  many  a  vanished  scene, 

Of  what  we  once  had  thought  and  said, 
Of  what  had  been,  and  might  have  been, 

And  who  was  changed,  and  who  was  dead  ; 


1 90  INF  ELI  CE. 

And  all  that  fills  the  hearts  of  friends, 

When  first  they  feel  with  secret  pain, 
Their  lives  thenceforth  have  separate  ends, 

And  never  can  be  one  again. 
The  very  tones  in  which  we  spake 

Had  something  strange,  I  could  but  mark  ; 
The  leaves  of  memory  seemed  to  make 

A  mournful  rustling  in  the  dark.'  " 

Attracted  by  the  rhythm,  which  softly  beat  upon  the  air  like 
some  muffled  prelude  striking  only  minor  chords, — Mrs.  Lind 
say  came  to  the  hearth,  and  with  her  arm  resting  on  the  girl's 
shoulder,  stood  listening. 

"  How  dearly  my  Douglass  loved  those  lines." 

"  And  on  the  night  before  he  died,  Mr.  Hargrove  repeated 
them,  asking  me  afterward  to  select  some  sweet  solemn  sacred 
tune  with  an  organ  accompaniment,  and  sing  them  for  him. 
lint  what  music  is  there,  that  would  suit  a  poem,  which  hence 
forth  will  seem  as  holy  as  a  Psalm,  to  me  ?" 

"  Perhaps  after  a  while, — you  and  I  may  be  able  to  quiet  the 
pain,  and  set  it  to  some  sweet  old  chant.  Just  no\v,  our  hearts 
are  too  sore." 

u  After  a  while  ?  What  hope  has  after  a  while  ?  It  cannot 
bring  back  the  lost ; — and  does  memory  ever  die  ?  After  a 
while  has  not  given  me  my  mother  ; — after  a  while  has  not 
taught  me  to  forget  her,  or  made  me  more  patient  in  my  wait 
ing.  After  a  while  I  know  death  will  come  to  us  all,  and  then 
there  will  be  no  more  heartache  ; — but  I  can't  see  that  there  is 
any  comfort  in  after  a  while,  except  beyond  the  grave.  Mrs. 
Lindsay,  I  do  not  wish  to  be  wicked  or  rebellious,  but  it  seems 
very  hard  that  I  must  leave  this  dear  quiet  home,  and  be  sep 
arated  from  you  and  Mr.  Lindsay  whom  I  dearly  love, — and  go 
and  live  in  a  city, — with  that  cold,  hard,  harsh, — stern  man,  of 
whom  I  am  so  much  afraid.  He  may  mean  well, — but  he  has 
such  unkind  ways  of  showing  it.  You  have  no  idea  how  dread 
ful  the  future  looks  to  me." 

She  spoke  drearily,  and  in  the  fitful  flashes  of  the  firelight,  the 
young  face  looked  unnaturally  stern. 


INF  ELI  CE.  I9I 

"  My  dear  child,  you  must  not  despond  ; — at  your  age  one 
must  try  to  see  only  the  bright  side.  If  I  expected  to  remain 
in  America,  I  would  not  give  you  up  without  a  struggle  ;  would 
beg  your  mother's  permission  to  keep  you  until  she  claimed  you. 
But  I  shall  only  wait  to  learn  that  Douglass  has  arranged  for 
my  arrival.  As  you  know,  my  sister  and  brother-in-law  are  in 
Egypt,  and  if  I  were  with  them  in  Cairo,  I  could  hear  more 
regularly  and  frequently  from  my  dear  boy.  I  wish  I  could 
keep  you,  for  you  have  grown  deep  into  my  heart, — but  my  own 
future  is  too  uncertain,  to  allow  me  to  involve  any  one  else  in 
my  plans." 

"  I  understand  the  circumstances,  but  if  mother  only  knew 
everything,  I  believe  she  would  not  doom  me  to  the  care  of 
that  man  of  stone.  Oh  !  if  you  could  only  take  me  across  the 
ocean,  and  let  me  go  to  Venice,  to  mother." 

Mrs.  Lindsay  tightened  her  arm  around  the  erect  slender  fig 
ure,  and  gently  stroked  back  the  hair  from  her  temples. 

"My  dear,  you  paint  your  future  guardian  too  grimly.  Mr. 
Falma  is  very  reserved,  rather  haughty,  and  probably  stern,  but 
notwithstanding  has  a  noble  character  I  am  told,  and  certainly 
appears  much  interested  in,  and  kindly  disposed  toward  you. 
Dear  Peyton  liked  him  exceedingly,  and  his  two  letters  to  me 
were  full  of  generosity  and  kind  sympathy.  As  I  believe  I  told 
you,  his  step-mother  resides  with  him,  and  her  daughter  Miss 
Neville,  though  a  young  lady, — will  be  more  of  a  companion  for 
you,  than  the  older  members  of  the  household.  Mr.  Pal  ma  is 
one  of  the  most  eminent  and  popular  lawyers  in  New  York, 
is  very  ambitious  I  have  heard, — and  at  his  house  you  will 
meet  the  best  society  of  that  great  City ; — by  which  I  mean, 
the  most  cultivated,  high-toned  and  aristocratic  people.  I 
am  sorry  that  he  has  no  religious  views, — habits,  or  associa 
tions, — as  I  inferred  from  the  remarks  of  the  lady  whom  I  met 
in  Boston,  and  who  seemed  well  acquainted  with  the  Palma 
household.  She  told  me  '  none  of  that  family  had  any  religion, 
though  of  course  they  kept  a  pew  in  the  fashionable  church.' 
But  my  dear  little  girl,  I  hope  your  principles  and  rules  of  life 


192  INFELICE. 

are  sufficiently  established  to  preserve  you  from  all  free-think 
ing  tendencie  s.  Cor;.'  ta.nl  attendance  at  church  does  not  con 
stitute  religi  >n,  any  more  than  the  bona  fide  pulpit  means  the 
spiritual  gorpel;  but  I  have  noticed  that  where  genuine  piety 
exists,  it  is  generally  united  with  a  recognition  of  church  duties 
and  obligations.  The  case  of  books  I  packed  and  sent  with 
your  trunks,  contains  some  very  admirable  though  old-fashioned 
works,  written  by  such  women  as  Hannah  More,  Mrs.  Chapone, 
Mrs.  Opie  and  others, — to  mould  the  character  of  girls,  and 
instruct  them  in  all  that  is  requisite  to  make  them  noble,  refin 
ed,  intelligent,  useful  Christian  women.  Hannah  More's  *  Lu- 
cilla  Stanley' is  one  of  the  loveliest  portraitures  of  female  ex 
cellence,  in  the  whole  domain  of  literature,  and  you  will  find 
some  of  the  passages  marked — to  arrest  your  attention.  In 
this  age  of  rapid  deviation  from  the  standard  rules  that  govern 
ed  feminine  deportment  and  education  when  I  was  a  girl, — 
many  of  the  precepts  and  admonitions  penned  by  the  authors 
I  have  mentioned,  are  derided  and  repudiated  as  'puritanical,' 
1  old-fashioned/  '  strait-laced,'  '  stupid  and  prudish,' — but  if  these 
indeed  be  faults, — certainly  in  the  light  of  modern  innovations 
— they  appear  '  to  lean  to  virtue's  side.'  In  fashionable  society, 
such  as  you  are  destined  to  meet  at  Mr.  Palma's,  you  will  find 
many  things  that  no  doubt  will  impress  you  as  strange, — possi 
bly  wrong ;  but  in  all  these  matters  consult  the  books  I  have 
selected  for  you, — read  your  Bible, — pray  regularly, — and  un 
der  all  circumstances  hold  fast  to  your  principles.  Question 
and  listen  to  your  conscience,  and  no  matter  how  keen  the  rid 
icule,  or  severe  the  condemnation  to  which  your  views  may  sub 
ject  you,  stand  firm.  Moral  cowardice  is  the  inclined  plane 
that  leads  to  the  first  step  in  sin.  Be  sure  you  are  right,  and 
then  suffer  no  persuasion  or  invective  to  influence  you  in  ques 
tions  involving  conscientious  scruples.  You  are  young  and  pe 
culiarly  isolated,  therefore  I  have  given  you  a  letter  to  my  valued 
old  friend  Mrs.  Mason,  who  will  always  advise  you  judiciously, 
if  you  will  only  consult  her.  I  hope  you  will  devote  as  much 
time  as  possible  to  music,  for  to  one  gifted  with  your  rare  tal- 


INFELICE.  I93 

ent,  it  will  serve  as  a  sieve  straining  out  every  ignoble,  discord 
ant  suggestion  and  will  help  to  keep  your  thoughts  pure  and 
holy." 

"  I  suppose  there  are  wicked  ways  and  wicked  people  every 
where,  and  it  is  not  the  fashion,  or  the  sinfulness  that  1  am  afraid 
of  in  New  York,  but  the  loneliness  I  anticipate.  I  dread  being 
shut  up  between  brick  walls  ; — no  flowers,  no  grass,  no  cows, — 
no  birds, — no  chickens, — none  of  the  things  1  care  for  most." 

"  But  my  dear  child,  you  forget  that  you  have  entered  your 
fifteenth  year,  and  as  you  grow  older  you  will  gradually  lose 
your  inordinate  fondness  for  pets.  Your  childish  tastes  will 
change  as  you  approach  womanhood." 

"  I  hope  not.  Why  should  they  ?  When  I  am  an  old 
woman  with  white  hair,  spectacles,  wrinkled  cheeks  and  a  ruffled 
muslin  cap  like  poor  Hannah's,  I  expect  to  love  pigeons  and 
rabbits,  and  all  pretty  white  things, — just  as  dearly  as  I  do  now. 
Speaking  of  Hannah, — how  I  shall  miss  her?  Since  she  went 
away,  I  shun  the  kitchen  as  much  as  possible, — everything  is 
so  changed,  so  sad.  Oh  !  the  dear,  dear  old-dead-and-gone- 
days — will  never,  never  come  back  to  rue." 

For  some  time  neither  spoke.  Mrs.  Lindsay  wept,  the  girl 
only  groaned  in  spirit ;  and  at  length  she  said  suddenly, — like 
one  nerved  for  some  painful  task  : 

"When  we  separate  at  the  Depot,  you  to  take  one  train,  and 
I  another, — we  may  never  meet  again  in  this  world,  and  I  must 
say  something  to  you,  which  I  could  mention  to  no  one  else. 
There  is  a  cloud  hanging  over  me.  I  have  always  lived  in  its 
cold  shadow,  even  here  where  there  is  or  was, — so  much  to 
make  me  happy, — and  this  mystery  renders  me  unwilling  to  go 
into  the  world  of  curious,  harsh  people,  who  will  wonder  and 
question.  I  know  that  Orme  is  not  my  real  name,  but  am  for 
bidden  to  ask  for  information,  until  I  am  grown.  J  have  full 
faith  in  my  mother, — I  must  believe  that  all  she  has  done  is 
right, — no  matter  how  strange  things  seem  ;  but  on  one  point 
I  must  be  satisfied.  Is  my  mother's  name  Minnie?" 

"I  cannot  tell  you,  for  it  was  the  only  secret  dear  Peyton 
9 


T94  INFELfCE. 

ever  kept  from  me.  In  speaking  of  her,  he  always  called  her 
Mrs.  Orme." 

"  Do  you  know  anything  about  the  loss  of  a  valuable  paper, 
once  in  Mr.  Hargrove's  possession?" 

"A  great  many  years  ago,  before  you  came  to  live  with  us, 
some  one  entered  this  room,  opened  the  secret  drawer  of  Pey 
ton's  writing  desk,  and  carried  off  a  tin.  box  containing  some 
important  papers." 

"And  suspicion  rested  on  my  mother?" 

"  My  darling  girl,  who  could  have  been  so  cruel,  as  to  dis 
tress  you  with  such  matters?  No  one" 

Regina  interrupted  her,  with  an  imperative  motion  of  her 
hand : 

"  Please  answer  my  question.  Truth  is  better  than  kindness, 
— is  more  to  me  than  sympathy.  Did  not  you  and  Mr.  Har 
grove  believe  that  mother  took, — stole  that  box  ?  " 

"  Peyton  never  admitted  to  me  that  he  suspected  her,  though 
some  circumstances  seemed  to  connect  the  disappearance  of 
the  papers, — with  her  visit  here,  the  night  they  were  carried  off. 
He  accused  no  one." 

Regina  was  deeply  moved,  and  her  whole  face  quivered  as 
she  answered  : 

"  Oh  !  how  good, — how  truly  charitable  he  was  ?  I  wonder 
if  in  all  the  wide  borders  of  America  there  are  any  more  like 
him  ?  If  I  could  only  have  told  him  the  facts,  and  satisfied 
him  that  my  mother  was  innocent.  But  I  waited  until  Hannah 
could  get  away  in  peace,  and  before  she  was  ready  to  start, — 
God  called  him  home.  In  heaven,  of  course  he  knows  it  all 
now.  I  promised  Hannah  to  tell  no  one  but  him,  and  to  defer 
the  explanation  until  she  was  safe, — entirely  beyond  the  reach 
of  his  displeasure ;  but  since  you  suspected  my  mother,  it  is 
right  that  I  should  justify  her,  in  your  estimation." 

Very  succinctly  she  narrated  what  had  occurred  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  storm, — and  the  incidents  of  the  ensuing  morning, 
when  she  followed  Hannah  into  the  churchyard.  As  she  con 
cluded,  an  expression  of  relief  and  pleasure  succeeded  that  of 


INFELICE 


'95 


astonishment,  which  had  rested  on  Mrs.   Lindsay's  worn  and 
faded  face, 

"  I  am  heartily  glad  that  at  last  the  truth  has  been  discov 
ered,  and  that  it  fully  exonerates  your  mother  from  all  connec 
tion  with  the  theft ;  for  I  confess  the  circumstances  prejudiced 
me  against  her.  Let  us  be  encouraged  my  dear  little  girl,  to 
believe  that  in  due  time,  all  the  other  mysteries  will  be  quite  as 
satisfactorily  cleared  up." 

"  I  can't  afford  to  doubt  it ; — if  I  did, — I  should  not  be  able 
to" 

She  paused,  while  an  increasing  pallor  overspread  her  fea 
tures. 

"That  is  right,  dear,  believe  in  her.  We  should  drink  and 
live  upon  faith  in  our  mothers, — as  we  did  their  milk  that  nour 
ished  us.  When  children  lose  faith  in  their  mothers, — God  pity 
both  !  Did  you  learn  from  Hannah  the  character  of  the  paper  ?  " 

"  How  could  I  question  a  servant,  concerning  my  mother's 
secrets  ?  I  only  learned  that  Mr.  Hargrove  had  given  to  my 
mother  a  copy  of  that,  which  was  burned  by  the  lightning." 

"  In  writing  to  her,  did  you  mention  the  facts  ?" 

"  I  have  not  as  yet.  I  doubted  whether  I  ought  to  allude  to 
the  subject,  lest  she  should  think  I  was  intruding  upon  her  con 
fidence." 

"  Dismiss  that  fear,  and  in  your  next  letter  acquaint  her  fully 
with  all  you  learned  from  poor  Hannah; — it  may  materially 
involve  her  interest  or  welfare.  Now  Regina  I  am  about  to 
say  something  which  you  must  not  misinterpret, — for  my  pur 
pose  is  to  comfort  you,  to  strengthen  your  confidence  in  your 
mother.  I  do  not  know  her  real  name, — I  never  heard  your 
father's  mentioned,  but  this  I  do  know, — dear  Peyton  told  me 
that  in  this  room  he  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  that 
made  them  husband  and  wife.  Why  such  profound  secrecy 
was  necessary,  your  poor  mother  will  some  day  explain  to  you. 
Until  then,  be  patient." 

"  Thank  you  Mrs.  Lindsay.  It  does  comfort  me  to  know 
that  Mr.  Hargrove  was  the  minister  who  married  them.  Of 


196  INFELICE. 

course  it  is  no  secret  to  you,  that  my  mother  is  an  actress  ?  I 
discovered  it  accidentally,  for  you  know  the  papers  were  never 
left  in  my  way,  and  in  all  her  letters  she  alluded  to  her  *  work 
being  successful,'  but  never  mentioned  what  it  was  ; — and  I  al 
ways  imagined  she  was  a  musician  giving  concerts.  But  one 
day  last  June,  at  the  Sabbath-school  Festival,  Mrs.  Potter 
gave  me  a  Boston  paper,  containing  an  article  marked  with 
ink, — which  she  said  she  wished  me  to  read,  because- it  would 
edify  a  Sunday-school  pupil.  It  was  a  letter  from  Italy,  de 
scribing  one  of  the  theatres  there,  where  Mine.  Odille  Orme 
was  playing  *  Medea.'  I  cut  out  the  letter,  gave  it  to  Mr. 
Hargrove,  and  asked  him  if  it  meant  my  mother.  He  told  me 
it  did,  and  advised  me  to  enclose  it  to  her  when  I  wrote.  But 
I  could  not,  I  burned  it.  People  look  down  on  actresses,  as 
if  they  were  wicked  or  degraded, — and  for  awhile  it  distressed 
me  very  much  indeed, — but  I  know  there  must  be  good  as  well 
as  bad  people  in  all  professions.  Since  then,  I  have  been  more 
anxious  to  become  a  perfect  musician,  so  that  before  long  I 
can  relieve  mother  from  the  necessity  of  working  on  the  stage." 
"  It  was  wickedly  malicious  in  Mrs.  Prudence  to  wound  you  ; 
and  we  were  all  so  anxious  to  shield  you  from  every  misgiving 
on  your  mother's  account.  Some  actresses  have  brought  op 
probrium  upon  the  profession,  which  certainly  is  rather  dan 
gerous,  and  subjects  women  to  suspicion  and  detraction  ;  but 
let  me  assure  you  Regina,  that  there  have  been  very  noble, 
lovely,  good  ladies  who  made  their  bread  exactly  as  your 
mother  makes  hers.  There  is  no  more  brilliant,  enviable  or 
stainless  record  among  gifted  women,  than  that  of  Mrs.  Sid- 
dons'  ; — or  to  come  down  to  the  present  day,' — the  world 
honors,  respects  and  admires  none  more  than  Mine.  Ristori, 
or  Miss  Cushman.  Personal  characteristics  must  decide  a 
woman's  reputation,  irrespective  of  the  fact  that  she  lives  upon 
the  stage  ;  and  it  is  unjust  that  the  faults  of  some,  should  re 
flect  discreditably  upon  all  in  any  profession.  Individually  I 
must  confess  I  am  opposed  to  theatres  and  actresses,  for  I  am 
the  widow  of  a  minister,  and  have  an  inherited  and  a  carefully 


INFELICE. 


197 


educated  prejudice  against  all  such  things ;  but  while  I  ac 
knowledge  this  fact,  I  dare  not  assert  that  some  who  pass  their 
lives  before  the  footlights,  may  not  be  quite  as  conscientious 
and  upright  as  I  certainly  try  to  be.  I  should  grieve  to  see 
you  on  the  stage, — yet  should  circumstances  induce  you  to 
select  it  as  a  profession, — in  the  sight  of  God  who  alone  can 
judge  human  hearts,  your  and  your  mother's  chances  of  final 
acceptance  and  rest  with  Christ  might  be  as  good,  perhaps 
better  than  mine.  Let  us  'judge  not,  lest  we  be  judged.'  " 

"  The  world  has  not  your  charity, — but  let  it  do  its  worst. 
Come  what  may,  my  mother  is  still  my  own  mother, —  and  God 
will  hold  the  scales  and  see  that  justice  is  done.  Perhaps  some 
day  we  may  follow  you  to  India,  and  spend  the  remainder  of 
our  lives  in  some  cool  quiet  valley,  under  the  shadow  of  the 
rhododendrons  on  the  Himalayan  hills.  Who  knows  what  the 
end  may  be  ?  But  no  matter  how  far  we  wander, — or  where 
we  rest, — we  shall  never  find  a  home  so  sweet,  so  peaceful,  so 
full  of  holy  and  happy  associations,  as  this  dear  parsonage  has 
been  to  me." 

The  fire  burned  low,  and  in  its  dull  flicker,  the  shadows 
thickened  ; — while  the  rising  wind  sobbed  and  wailed,  mourn 
ful  as  a  coranach  around  the  desolate  old  house, — whence  so 
many  generations  had  glided  into  the  sheltering  bosom  of  the 
adjoining  necropolis. 

Across  the  solemn  gloomy  stillness,  ran  the  sharp  shivering 
sound  of  the  door-bell, — and  when  the  jarring  had  ceased, 
Esau  entered  with  his  lantern  in  his  hand. 

"  The  carriage  is  at  the  gate.  The  schedule  was  changed 
last  week,  and  the  driver  says  it  is  nearly  train  time.  Give  me 
the  satchels  and  basket." 

Slowly  the  two  figures  followed  the  lantern-bearer  down  the 
dim  bare  hall,  and  the  sound  of  their  departing  footsteps  echoed 
strangely,  dismally  through  the  empty  forsaken  house.  At  the 
front  door  both  paused  and  looked  back  into  the  darkness  that 
seemed  like  a  vast  tomb,  swallowing  everything, — engulfing  all 
the  happy  hallowed  past. 


198  INFELICE. 

But  Regina  imagined  that  in  the  dusky  library,  by  the  wan 
flicker  of  the  dying  fire,  she  could  trace  the  spectral  outline  of 
a  white  draped  table,  and  of  a  tall  prostrate  form  bearing  a 
Grand  Duke  jasmine  in  its  icy  hand.  Shuddering  violently, 
she  wrapped  her  shawl  around  her  and  sprang  down  the  steps, 
— into  the  drizzling  rain ;  while  Mrs.  Lindsay  slowly  followed, 
weeping  silently. 

"  Were  it  mine  I  would  close  the  shutters, 
Like  lids  when  the  life  is  fled, 
And  the  funeral  fire  should  wind  it, 
This  corpse  of  a  home  that  is  dead." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

JHE  snow  was  falling  fast  next  morning,  when  with  a 
long  hoarse  shriek  the  locomotive  dashed  into  New 
York,  and  drew  up  to  the  platform,  where  a  crowd  01 
human  beings  and  equipages  of  every  description  had  assem 
bled  to  greet  the  arrival  of  the  train. 

The  din  of  voices,  ringing  of  bells,  whistle  of  engines, — and 
all  the  varied  notes  of  that  Babel  diapason,  that  so  utterly 
bewilders  the  stranger  stranded  on  the  bustling  streets  of  busy 
Gotham, — fell  upon  Regina' s  ears  with  the  startling  force  of 
novelty.  She  wondered  if  there  were  thunder  mixed  with  swiftly 
falling  snow, — that  low  dull  ceaseless  roar, — that  endless  mono 
logue  of  the  paved  streets,  where  iron  and  steel  ground  down 
the  stone  highways,  along  which  the  Juggernaut  of  Traffic  rolled 
ponderously,  day  in,  and  day  out  ? 

Gazing  curiously  down  from  her  window,  at  the  sea  of  faces, 
wherein  cabmen,  omnibus  drivers,  porters,  vociferated  and 
gesticulated, — each  striving  to  tower  above  his  neighbor,  like 
the  tame  vipers  in  the  Egyptian  pitcher,  whereof  Teufelsdrockh 
discourses  in  Sartor  Resartus, — Regina  made  no  attempt  to 
leave  her  seat,  until  the  courteous  conductor  to  whose  care  Mrs. 


INFELICE. 


199 


Lindsay  had  consigned  her,  touched  her  arm  to  arrest  her  at 
tention. 

"  You  are  Miss  Orme  I  believe,  and  here  is  the  gentleman 
who  came  to  meet  you." 

Turning  quickly,  with  the  expectation  of  seeing  Mr.  Palma, 
she  found  herself  in  the  presence  of  an  elegantly  dressed  young 
gentleman,  not  more  than  twenty  two  or  three  years  old,  who 
wore  ample  hay-colored  whiskers  brushed  in  English  style,— 
after  the  similitude  of  the  fins  of  a  fish,  or  the  wings  of  a  bat. 
A  long  moustache  of  the  same  color,  drooped  over  a  mouth 
feminine  in  mould, — and  as  he  lifted  his  brown  fur  cap  and 
bowed,  she  saw  that  his  light  hair  was  parted  in  the  middle  of 
his  head.. 

He  handed  her  a  card  on  which  was  printed:  "Elliott 
Roscoe." 

"  Regina  Orme  I  presume.  My  cousin  Mr.  Palma  desired 
me  to  meet  you  at  the  train,  and  see  you  safely  to  his  house,  as 
he  is  not  in  the  city.  I  guess  you  had  a  tiresome  trip  ;  you 
look  worn-out.  Have  you  the  checks  for  your  baggage  ?  " 

She  handed  them  to  him,  took  her  satchel,  and  followed  him 
out  of  the  car, — through  the  dense  throng, — to  a  coup£. 

The  driver,  whose  handsome  blue  cloak  with  its  glittering  gilt 
buttons,  was  abundantly  embroidered  with  snow-flakes,  opened 
the  door,  and  as  Mr.  Roscoe  assisted  the  stranger  to  enter,  he 
said : 

"  Wait  Farley,  until  I  look  after  the  baggage." 

"Yonder  is  O'Brien  with  his  express  wagon.  Give  him  the 
checks,  and  he  will  have  the  trunks  at  home,  almost  as  soon  as 
we  get  there.  Michael  O'tirien  ! " 

As  the  ruddy,  beaming  pleasant  countenance  of  the  express 
man  approached,  and  he  received  the  checks,  Mr.  Roscoe 
sprang  into  the  carriage,  but  Regina  summoned  courage  to  speak* 

"If  you  please, — 1  want  my  dog." 

"  Yoar  dog  !     Did  you  leave  it  in  the  car  ?    Is  it  a  poodle  ?  " 

"Poodle  !  He  is  a  New  Foundland,  and  the  express  agent 
has  him." 


200  INFELICE. 

"Then  O'Brien  will  bring  him  with  the  trunks,"  said  Mr 
Roscoe  preparing  to  close  the  door. 

'4  1  would  not  like  to  leave  him  behind." 

"  You  certainly  do  not  expect  to  carry  him  in  the  carriage  ?  " 
answered  the  gentleman,  staring  at  her,  as  if  she  had  been  a 
refugee  from  some  insane  asylum. 

"  Why  not  ?  There  seems  plenty  of  room.  I  am  so  much 
afraid  something  might  happen  to  him,  among  all  these  people. 
But  perhaps  you  would  not  like  him  shut  up  in  the  carriage." 

For  an  instant  she  seemed  sorely  embarrassed,  then  leaning 
forward,  addressed  the  coachman. 

"  Would  you  mind  taking  my  dog  up  there  with  you  ?  I 
shall  thank  you  very  much  if  you  will  please  be  so  kind." 

Before  the  wistful  pleading  of  the  violet  eyes,  and  the  sweet 
tones  of  the  hesitating  voice,  the  surly  expression  vanished 
from  Farley's  countenance,  and  touching  his  hat,  he  replied 
cheerfully : 

"Aye  Miss  ;  if  he  is  not  venomous,  I  will  take  him  along." 

"  Thank  you.  Mr.  Roscoe  if  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  go 
with  me  to  the  express  car,  I  can  get  my  dog." 

"  That  is  not  necessary.  Besides  it  is  snowing  hard,  and 
your  wraps  are  not  very  heavy.  Give  me  the  receipt,  and  I 
will  bring  him  out." 

There  was  some  delay,  but  after  a  little  while  Mr.  Roscoe 
came  back  leading  Hero  by  a  chain  attached  to  his  collar. 
The  dog  looked  sulky  and  followed  reluctantly,  but  at  sight  of 
his  mistress,  sprang  forward,  barking  joyfully. 

"  Poor  Hero  !  poor  fellow  !     Here  I  am." 

When  he  had  been  prevailed  upon  to  jump  up  beside  the 
driver,  and  the  carriage  rolled  homeward,  Mr.  Roscoe  said  : 

"  That  is  a  superb  creature.  The  only  pure  white  New 
Foundland  I  ever  saw.  Where  did  you  get  him?" 

"  He  was  bought  in  Brooklyn  several  years  ago,  and  sent  to 
me." 

"  What  is  his  name  ?  " 

"  Heio." 


IN  FELICE.  201 

"  How  very  odd.  Bruno,  or  Nero,  or  Ponto,  or  even  Fido, 
• — would  be  so  much  more  suitable." 

"  Hero  suits  him,  and  suits  me." 

Mr.  Roscoe  looked  curiously  into  the  face  beside  him,  arid 
laughed. 

"I  presume  you  are  a  very  romantic  young  Miss,  and  have 
been  dreaming  about  some  rustic  Leander  in  round  jacket." 

"  My  dog  \vas  not  called  after  the  priestess  at  Sestos.  It 
means  hero  the  common  noun,  not  Hero  the  proper  name. 
Holding  torches  to  guide  people  across  the  Hellespont,  was 
not  heroism." 

If  she  had  addressed  him  in  Aramaic,  he  would  not  have 
been  more  surprised  ;  and  for  a  moment  he  stared. 

"  I  am  afraid  your  Hero  will  not  prove  a  thoroughly  wel 
come  addition  to  my  cousin's  household.  He  has  no  fondness 
whatever  for  dogs,  or  indeed  for  pets  of  any  kind,  and  Mrs. 
Talma  who  has  a  chronic  terror  of  hydrophobia,  will  not  permit 
a  dog  to  come  near  her." 

He  saw  something  like  a  smile  flicker  across  the  girl's 
mouth,  but  she  did  not  look  up,  and  merely  asked  : 

"Where  is  Mr.  Palma?" 

"  He  was  unexpectedly  called  to  Philadelphia  two  days  ago, 
on  urgent  business.  Do  you  know  him  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  him,  for  several  years." 

She  turned  away,  fixing  her  attention  upon  the  various 
objects  of  interest  that  flitted  by,  as  they  rolled  rapidly  along 
one  of  the  principal  streets.  The  young  gentleman  who  in  no 
respect  resembled  Mr.  Palma,  found  it  exceedingly  pleasant  to 
study  the  fair  delicate  face  beside  him,  and  not  a  detail  of  her 
dress,  from  the  shape  of  her  hat,  to  the  fit  of  her  kid  gloves, 
escaped  his  critical  inspection. 

Almost  faultily  fastidious  in  his  Broadway  trained  tastes,  he 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  she  possessed  more  absolute 
beauty  than  any  one  in  his  wide  circle  of  acquaintance  ; — but 
her  travelling  suit  was  not  cut  in  the  approved  reigning  style, 
and  the  bow  of  ribbon  at  her  throat  did  not  exactly  harmonize 
9* 


202  INF  ELI  CE. 

with  the  shade  of  the  feather  in  her  hat, — all  of  which  jarred 
disagreeably. 

As  the  carriage  entered  Fifth  Avenue,  and  drew  up  before 
one  of  the  handsome  brown-stone  front  mansions,  that  stretch 
like  palatial  walls — for  miles  along  that  most  regal  and  magni 
ficent  of  American  streets,  Mr.  Roscoe  handed  his  companion 
out,  and  rang  the  bell. 

Hero  leaped  to  the  sidewalk,  and  patting  his  head,  Regina 
said  : 

"  Driver  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  taking  care  of 
him  for  me." 

"  You  are  quite  welcome  Miss.  He  is  an  uncommon  fine 
brute,  and  1  will  attend  to  him  for  you  if  you  wish  it." 

The  door  opened,  and  Regina  was  ushered  in,  and  con 
ducted  by  Mr.  Roscoe  into  the  sitting-room,  where  a  blazing 
coal-fire  lent  pleasant  warmth  and  a  ruddy  glow  to  the  elegantly 
furnished  apartment. 

"  Terry  tell  the  ladies  we  have  come." 

The  servant  disappeared,  and  holding  his  hands  over  the 
fire,  Mr.  Roscoe  said  : 

"  1  believe  you  are  a  stranger  to  all  but  my  cousin  ;  yet  you 
are  probably  aware  that  his  step-mother  and  her  daughter 
reside  with  him." 

Before  she  could  reply,  the  door  suddenly  opened  wide,  as 
if  moved  by  an  impatient  hand,  and  a  middle-aged  lady, 
dressed  in  black  silk  that  rustled  proudly  at  every  step, — 
advanced  toward  Regina.  Involuntarily  the  girl  shivered,  as 
if  an  icy  East  wind  had  blown  upon  her. 

**  Mrs.  Palma,  I  have  brought  this  young  lady  safely,  and 
transfer  her  to  your  care.  This  is  Regina  Orme." 

"  Miss  Orme  has  arrived  on  a  cold  day,  and  looks  as  if  she 
realized  it." 

She  put  out  her  hand,  barely  touched  the  fingers  of  the 
stranger,  and  her  keen,  probing,  inquisitorial  eyes  of  palest 
gray  wandered  searchingly  over  the  face  and  figure  ;  while  her 
haughty  tone  was  chill  as  the  cLuup  breath  of  a  vault. 


INF  ELI  CE.  203 

Catching  sight  of  Hero,  she  started  back,  and  exclaimed 
with  undisguised  <*'  ^pleasure  : 

"  What  !  A  dog  in  my  sitting-room  ?  Who  brought  that 
animal  here  ?  " 

Regina  laid  a  protecting  hand  on  the  head  of  her  favorite, 
and  said  timidly,  in  a  voice  that  faltered  from  embarrassment : 

"  It  is  my  dog.  Please  Madam  allow  me  to  keep  him;  he 
will  disturb  no  one  ; — shall  give  no  trouble." 

"  Impossible  !  Dogs  are  my  pet  aversion.  I  would  not 
even  allow  my  daughter  to  accept  a  lovely  Italian  greyhound, 
which  Count  Fagdalini  sent  her  on  her  last  birthday.  That 
huge  brute  there,  would  give  me  hysterics  before  dinner  time." 

"  Then  you  shall  not  see  him.  I  will  keep  him  always  out 
of  sight ; — he  shall  never  annoy  you." 

"  Very  feasible  in  a  Fifth  Avenue  house  !  Do  you  propose 
to  lock  him  up  always  in  your  own  chamber  ?  How  absurd !  " 

She  touched  the  bell,  and  added  : 

"  It  always  saves  trouble,  to  start  exactly  as  we  expect  or 
intend  to  continue.  I  cannot  endure  dogs, — never  could, — 
and  yours  must  be  disposed  of  at  once." 

Pitying  the  distress,  so  eloquently  printed  on  the  face  of  the 
girl,  Mr.  Roscoe  interposed  : 

"  Strike,  but  hear  me  !  Don't  banish  the  poor  fellow  so 
summarily.  He  can't  go  mad  before  May  or  June,  if  then, — 
and  at  least  let  her  keep  him  a  few  days.  She  feels  strange 
and  lonely,  and  it  will  comfort  her  to  have  him  for  a  while." 

"  Nonsense  Elliott !  Terry  tell  Farley  I  shall  want  the  car 
riage  in  half  an  hour,  and  meantime  ask  him  to  come  here  and 
help  you  take  out  this  dog.  We  have  no  room  for  any  such 
pests.  Send  Hattie  to  show  this  young  lady  to  her  own 
room." 

Mr.  Roscoe  shrugged  his  shoulder,  and  closely  inspected  his 
seal  ring. 

There  was  an  awkward  silence.  Mrs.  Palma  stirred  the 
coals  with  the  poker,  and  at  last  asked  abruptly : 

"  Miss  Orme  I  presume  you  have  breakfasted  ?  " 


204  INFELICE. 

"  I  do  not  wish  any,  thank  you." 

Something  in  her  quiet  tone  attracted  attention,  and  as  the 
lady  and  gentleman  turned  to  look  at  her,  both  noticed  a  bril 
liant  Hush  on  her  cheek,  a  peculiar  sparkle  dancing  in  her 
eyes. 

Passing  her  arm  through  the  handle  of  her  satchel,  she  put 
both  her  hands  upon  Hero's  silver  collar. 

"  Hattie  will  show  you  up  to  your  room,  Miss  Orme,  and  if 
you  need  anything  call  upon  her  for  it.  Farley  take  that  dog 
away,  and  do  not  let  me  see  him  here  again." 

The  blunt  but  kind-hearted  coachman  looked  irresolute, 
glancing  first  at  his  mistress,  and  then  pityingly  at  the  girl.  As 
he  advanced  to  obey,  Regina  said  in  a  quiet  but  clear  and  de 
cisive  tone  : 

11  Don't  you  touch  him.  He  is  mine,  and  no  one  shall  take 
him  from  me.  I  am  sorry  Mrs.  Palma  that  I  have  annoyed  you 
so  much,  and  I  have  no  right  to  force  unpleasant  things  upon 
you,  even  if  I  had  the  power.  Come  Hero  !  we  will  find  a 
place  somewhere  ; — New  York  is  large  enough  to  hold  us 
both.  Good-by  Mr.  Roscoe.  Good-day  Mrs.  Palma." 

She  walked  toward  the  door,  leading  Hero,  who  rubbed  his 
head  caressingly  against  her. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  cried  Mr.  Roscoe  following,  and 
catching  her  arm. 

"Anywhere — away  from  this  house,"  she  answered  very 
quietly. 

"  But  Mr.  Palma  is  your  guardian  !  He  will  be  dreadfully 
displeased." 

"  He  has  no  right  to  be  displeased  with  me.  Beside,  I 
would  not  for  forty  guardians  give  up  my  Hero.  Please  stand 
aside,  and  let  me  pass.'" 

"  Tell  me  first,  what  you  intend  to  do." 

"  First  to  get  out,  where  the  air  is  free.  Then  to  find  the 
house  of  a  lady,  to  whom  I  have  a  letter  of  introduction,  from 
Mrs.  Lindsay." 

Mrs.  Palma  was  sorely  perplexed,  and  though  she  trembled 


INFELICE.  205 

with  excess  of  anger  and  chagrin,  a  politic  regard  for  her  own 
future  welfare,  which  was  contingent  upon  the  maintenance  of 
peaceful  relations  with  her  step-son, — impelled  her  to  concede 
what  otherwise  she  would  never  have  yielded.  Stepping  for 
ward  she  said  with  undisguised  scorn  : 

"  if  this  is  a  sample  of  his  ward's  temper,  I  fear  Erie  has 
assumed  guardianship  of  Tartary.  As  Miss  Orme  is  a  total 
stranger  in  New  York,  it  is  sheer  madness  to  talk  of  leaving 
here.  This  is  Erie  Palma's  house,  not  mine, — else  I  should 
not  hesitate  a  moment ;  but  under  the  circumstances  I  shall 
insist  upon  this  girl  remaining  here  at  least  until  his  return, 
which  must  be  very  soon.  Then  the  dog  question  will  be 
speedily  decided  by  the  master  of  the  establishment." 

"  Let  us  try  and  compromise.  Suppose  you  trust  your  pet 
to  me  for  a  few  days,  until  matters  can  be  settled  ?  1  like 
dogs,  and  promise  to  take  good  care  of  yours,  and  feed  him  on 
game  and  chicken  soup." 

He  attempted  to  put  his  hand  on  the  collar,  but  Hero  who 
seemed  to  comprehend  that  he  was  a  casus  belli,  growled  and 
showed  his  teeth. 

"  Thank  you  Sir,  but  we  have  only  each  other  now.  Mrs. 
Palma  1  do  not  wish  to  disturb  or  annoy  you  in  any  way,  and 
as  I  love  my  dog  very  much, — and  you  have  no  rooru  for  him, 
I  would  much  rather  go  away  now,  and  leave  you  m  peace. 
Please  Mr.  Roscoe  let  me  pass." 

"  I  can  fix  things  to  suit  all  around, — if  Madam  Vv'.ll  permit," 
said  the  coachman. 

"  Well  Farley — what  is  your  proposition?" 

His  mistress  was  biting  her  lip,  from  mortification  and  ill- 
concealed  rage. 

"I  will  make  a  kennel  in  the  corner  of  the  carnage-house, 
where  he  can  be  chained  up,  and  yet  have  roora  to  stretch 
himself;  and  the  young  Miss  can  feed  him,  and  see  him  as 
often  as  she  likes,  till  matters  are  better  settled." 

"  Very  well.  Attend  to  it  at  once.  I  hope  Miss,  Onne  is 
satisfied  ?  " 


206  INF E  LICE. 

"  No, — I  do  not  wish  to  give  so  much  trouble  to  you  all." 

"Oh  Miss  !  it  is  no  trouble  worth  speaking  of;  and  if  you 
will  only  trust  me,  I  will  see  that  no  harm  happens  to  him." 

For  a  moment  Regina  looked  up  at  the  honest  open,  though 
somewhat  harsh  Hibernian  face,  then  advanced  and  laid  the 
chain  in  his  hand. 

"  Thank  you  very  much.  I  will  trust  you.  Be  kind  to  him, 
and  let  me  come  and  see  him  after  awhile.  I  don't  wish  him 
ever  to  come  into  the  house  again." 

"  The  baggage-man  has  brought  the  trunks,"  said  Terry. 

"  Have  them  taken  upstairs.  Would  you  like  to  go  to  your 
room,  Miss  Orme  ?  " 

"  If  you  please,  Madam." 

"  Then  I  must  bid  you  good-by,"  said  Mr.  Roscoe  holding 
out  his  hand. 

"  Do  you  not  live  here  ?  " 

u  Oh  no  !  I  am  only  a  student  in  my  cousin's  law-office, — 
but  come  here  very  often.  I  hope  the  dog-war  is  amicably  set 
tled  ; — but  if  hostilities  are  reopened,  and  you  ever  make  up 
your  mind  to  give  Hero  away,  please  remember  that  I  am  first 
candidate  for  his  ownership." 

"  I  would  almost  as  soon  think  of  giving  away  my  head. 
Good-by  Sir." 

As  she  turned  to  follow  the  servant  out  of  the  room,  she  ran 
against  a  young  lady,  who  hastily  entered,  singing  a  bar  from 
"  Traviata." 

"  Bless  me  !     I  beg  your  pardon.     This  is" 

"  Miss  Orme  ; — Erie's  ward." 

"  Miss  Orme  does  not  appear  supremely  happy  at  the  pros 
pect  of  sojourning  with  us,  beneath  this  hospitable  roof. 
Mamma,  I  understand  you  have  had  a  regular  Austerlitz  battle 
over  that  magnificent  dog  I  met  in  the  hall, — and  alas  !  victory 
perched  upon  the  standard  of  the  invading  enemy  !  Cheer  up 
Mamma  !  there  is  a  patent  medicine  just  advertised  in  the 
Herald  that  hunts  down,  worries,  shakes  and  strangles  hydro 
phobia, — as  Gustave  Dillon's  Skye  terrier  does  rats.  Good- 


INFELICE.  207 

•morning  Mr.  Elliott  Roscoe  !  Poor  Miss  Orme  looks  strikingly 
likf  a  half  famished  and  wholly  hopeless  statue  of  Patience, 
that  I  saw  on  a  monument,  at  the  last  funeral  I  attended  in 
Greenwood.  Hattie  do  take  her  to  her  room,  and  give  her 
some  hot  chocolate,  or  coffee,  or  whatever  she  drinks." 

She  had  taken  both  the  stranger's  hands,  shook  them  rather 
roughly,  and  in  conclusion  pushed  her  toward  the  door. 

Olga  Neville  was  twenty-two,  tall,  finely  formed,  rather  hand 
some  ; — with  unusually  bright  reddish-hazel  eyes,  and  a  profu 
sion  of  tawny  hair,  which  nine  persons  in  ten  would  unhesitat 
ingly  have  pronounced  red, — but  which  she  persistently  asserted 
was  of  exactly  the  classic  shade  of  ruddy  gold,  that  the  Borgia 
gave  to  Bembo.  Her  features  were  large,  and  somewhat  irreg 
ular  in  contour,  but  her  complexion  was  brilliant,  her  carriage 
very  graceful, — and  though  one  might  safely  predict  that  at  some 
distant  day  she  would  prove  "  fair,  fat  and  forty,"  her  full  figure 
had  not  yet  transgressed  the  laws  of  symmetry. 

As  the  door  of  the  sitting-room  closed,  she  put  her  large 
white  hands  on  her  mother's  shoulders,  shook  her  a  little,  and 
kissed  her  on  the  cheek. 

"  Do  Mamma,  let  us  have  fair  play, — or  I  shall  desert  to  the 
enemy.  It  was  not  right  to  open  your  batteries  on  that  little 
thing  before  she  got  well  into  position,  and  established  her  line. 
Jf  1  am  any  judge  of  human  nature,  I  rather  guess  from  the  set  of 
her  lips,  and  the  stars  that  danced  up  and  down  in  her  eyes,  that 
she  is-  not  quite  as  easily  ilanked  as  a  pawn  on  a  chessboard." 

"  I  wish  Olga,  that  you  were  a  better  judge  of  common-sense, 
and  of  the  courtesy  due  to  my  opinions.  I  can  tell  you  we  are 
likely  to  see  trouble  enough,  with  this  high-tempered  girl  added 
to  the  family  circle." 

"  Why — she  has  not  Lucretia-colored  tresses,  like  my  own 
lovely  spun-gold  ?  I  thought  her  hair  looked  very  black." 

"  I  will  warrant  it  is  not  half  as  black  as  her  disposition. 
She  looked  absolutely  diabolical  when  she  pretended  to  march 
out  into  the  world, — playing  the  role  of-  injured,  persecuted 
innocence." 


2o8  INF  ELI  CE. 

"  Now  Mamma  !  She  is  decidedly  the  prettiest  piece  of 
diabolism  I  ever  saw.  Elliott  what  do  you  think  of  her?" 

"That  some  day,  she  will  be  a  most  astonishing  beauty. 
Can  you  recollect  that  lovely  green  and  white  cameo  pin  set 
with  diamonds,  that  Tiffany  had  last  spring  ?  Ned  Bartlett 
bought  it  for  his  wife,  the  day  they  started  to  Saratoga.  Well 
this  girl  is  exactly  like  that  exquisite  white  cameo  head  ;  I  no 
ticed  the  likeness  as  soon  as  I  saw  her.  But  she  needs  polish, 
— city  training,  society  marks, — and  her  clothes  are  at  least  two 
seasons  old  in  style.  I  think  too,  your  mother  is  quite  right  in 
believing  she  has  a  will  of  her  own.  She  was  really  in  earnest, 
and  would  have  walked  out,  if  Farley  had  not  come  to  the  res 
cue.  Olga  what  are  you  laughing  at  ?  " 

"  I  am  anticipating  the  sport  in  store  for  me,  when  her  will 
and  Erie  Palma's  come  in  conflict.  Won't  the  sparks  ily  !  We 
shall  have  a  domestic  shower  of  meteors  to  enliven  our  daily 
dull  routine  !  You  know  the  stately  and  august  head  of  this 
establishment,  savors  of  Fitz-James,  and  in  all  matters  of  con 
troversy,  acts  fully  out,  what  Scott  only  dreamed  : 

*  Come  one,  come  all  !  this  rock  shall  fly 
From  its  firm  base,  as  soon  as  I  ! ' 

I  daresay  it  is  his  terrapin  habit  that  helps  Erie  Palma  to  his 
great  success  as  a  lawyer  ; — when  he  once  takes  hold,  he  never 
lets  go.  Now  Mamma,  if  you  do  not  hoist  a  white  flag,  as  far 
as  that  poor  girl  is  concerned, — I  shall  certainly  ask  your  wary 
step-son  to  give  her  a  sprig  of  phryxa  from  Mount  Brixaba. 
Do  you  understand, — Elliott  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not.     I  rarely  do  understand  you,  when  you  be 
gin  your  spiteful  challenges.     Now  Olga — I  always  preserve  an 
unarmed  neutrality,  so  do  let  me  alone." 
p      He  made  a  deprecating  gesture,  and  put  on  his  hat. 

"  Free  schools  and  universal  education  is  one  of  my  spavined 
hobbies, — and  a  brief  canter,  for  your  improvement  in  classic 
lore, — would  be  charitable, — so  I  proceed  :  Agatho  the  Samian, 
says  that  in  the  Scythian  Brixaba  grows  the  herb  phryxa,  (hating 
the  wicked,)  which  especially  protects  step  children;  and  when- 


INF  ELI  CE.  209 

ever  they  are  in  danger  from  a  step-mother, — (observe  the  anti 
quity  of  Step-Motherly  characteristics  !) — the  phryxa  gives  them 
warning  by  emitting  a  bright  flame.  You  see  Erie  Palma 
remembers  his  classics,  and  early  in  life  turned  his  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  phryxa,  which  flourishes  " 

"  Olga — you  vex  me  beyond  endurance.  Put  on  your  furs 
at  once  ; — it  is  time  to  go  to  the  Studio.  Elliott  will  you  ride 
down  with  us,  and  look  at  the  portrait  ?  " 

"  Thanks  !  1  wish  I  could,  but  promised  to  write  out  some 
legal  references,  before  my  cousin  returns,  and  must  keep  my 
word  ; — for  you  very  well  know  he  has  scant  mercy  on 
delinquents." 

"  I  only  hope  he  will  bring  his  usual  iron  rule  to  bear  upon 
this  new  element  in  the  household,  else  her  impertinent  self-as 
sertion  will  be  unendurable.  Will  you  be  at  Mrs.  Delatield's 
Reception  to-night?" 

"  I  promised  to  attend.  Suppose  I  call  for  you  and  Olga 
about  nine  ?" 

"  Quite  agreeable  to  all  parties.  I  shall  expect  you.  Good 
morning." 

When  Regina  left  the  sitting-room,  she  followed  the  house 
maid  up  two  flights  of  steps,  and  into  a  small  but  beautifully 
furnished  apartment,  where  a  fire  was  not  really  necessary,  as 
the  house  was  heated  by  a  furnace,  still  the  absence  of  the 
cheerful  red  light  she  had  left  below,  made  this  room  seem  chill 
and  uninviting. 

The  trunks  had  been  brought  up,  and  after  lowering  the  cur 
tain  of  the  window  that  looked  down  on  the  beautiful  Avenue, — • 
Hattie  said  : 

"  Will  you  have  tea,  coffee,  or  chocolate  ?  " 

"  Neither,  I  thank  you." 

"  Have  you  had  any  breakfast  ?  " 

"1  do  not  want  any." 

"  It  is  no  trouble  Miss,  to  get  what  you  like." 

Regina  only  shook  her  head,  and  proceeded  to  take  off  her 
hat  and  wrappings. 


210  INF  ELI  CE. 

"Are  you  an  orphan  ?"  queried  Hattie,  her  heart  warming 
toward  a  stranger  who  avoided  giving  trouble. 

"No — but  my  mother  is  in is  too  far  for  me  to  go  to 

her." 

"  Then  you  ar'n't  here  on  charity  ?  " 

"  Chanty  !  No  indeed  !  Mr.  Palma  is  my  guardian  until  I 
go  to  my  mother." 

"  Well  Miss,  try  to  be  contented.  Miss  Olga  has  a  kinder 
heart  than  her  mother,  and  though  she  has  a  bitter  tongue  and 
rough  ways,  she  will  befriend  you.  Don't  fret  about  your  dog, — 
we  folks  below-stairs  will  see  that  he  does  not  suffer.  We  will 
help  you  take  care  of  him." 

"  Thank  you  Hattie.  I  shall  be  grateful  to  all  who  are  kind 
to  him.  Please  give  him  some  water  and  a  piece  of  bread  when 
you  go  down." 

It  was  a  great  relief  to  find  herself  once  more  alone,  and 
sinking  down  wearily  into  a  rocking-chair,  she  hid  her  face  in  her 
hands. 

Her  heart  was  heavy,  her  head  ached ;  her  soul  rose  in  re 
bellion  against  the  cold  selfishness  aad  discourtesy  that  had 
characterized  her  reception  by  the  inmates  of  her  Guardian's 
house. 

Everything  around  her  betokened  wealth,  taste,  elegance  ; 
the  carpets  and  various  articles  of  furniture  were  of  the  most 
costly  materials, — but  at  the  thought  of  living  here,  she  shud 
dered.  Fine  and  fashionable  in  all  its  appointments,  but  chilly, 
empty,  surface  gilded,  she  felt  that  she  would  stifle  in  this 
mansion. 

By  comparison,  how  dear  and  sacred  seemed  the  old  life  at 
the  Parsonage, — how  desolate  and  dreary  the  present, — how  in 
expressibly  lonely  and  hopeless  the  future  ! 

From  the  thought  of  Mr.  Palma' s  return,  she  could  borrow 
no  pleasant  auguries,  rather  additional  gloom  and  appre 
hension  ;  and  his  absence  had  really  been  the  sole  redeeming 
circumstance  that  marked  her  arrival  in  New  York.  With  an 
unconquerable  diead  which  arose  from  early  childish  prejudice, 


INF E LICE.  211 

and  which  she  never  attempted  to  analyze,  she  shrank  from 
meeting  him. 

There  came  a  quick  low  tap  on  the  door,  but  she  neither 
heard  nor  heeded  it,  and  started  when  a  warm  hand  removed 
those  that  covered  her  face. 

"Just  as  i  expected,  you  are  having  a  good  cry  all  to  your 
self.  No — your  eyes  are  dry  and  bright  as  stars.  I  daresay 
you  have  set  us  all  down  as  a  family  of  brutes ; — as  more  cruel 
than  the  Flutes  or  Modocs, — as  stony  hearted  as  Solomon,  when 
he  ordered  the  poor  little  baby  to  be  cut  in  half  and  distributed 
among  its  several  mothers.  But  there  is  so  little  justice  left  in 
the  world,  that  I  imagine  each  individual  would  do  well  to  con 
tribute  a  moiety  to  the  awfully  slender  public  stock.  Suppose 
you  pay  tithes  to  the  extent  of  counting  me  out  of  this  nest  of 
persecutors  ?  Thank  Heaven  !  I  am  not  a  Pahna  !  My  soul 
does  not  work  like  the  piston  of  a  steam-engine, — is  not  regu 
lated  by  a  gauge-cock  and  safety-valve  to  prevent  all  explosions, 
— to  keep  the  even,  steady,  decorous,  profitable  tenor  of  its 
sternly  politic  way.  I  am  a  Neville.  The  blood  in  my  veins 
is  not  'blue'  like  the  Palma's, — but  red, — and  hot  enough  to 
keep  my  heart  from  freezing,  as  the  Palma's  do, — and  to  melt 
the  ice  they  manufacture,  wherever  they  breathe.  I  am  no 
Don  Quixote  to  redress  your  grievances,  or  storm  wind-mills  ; — 
for  verily  neither  mamma  nor  Erie  Palma  belongs  to  that  class 
of  harmless  innocuous  bugaboos, — as  those  will  find  to  their  cost, 
who  run  against  them.  I  am  simply  Olga  Neville,  almost 
twenty-three,  and  quite  willing  to  help  you  if  possible.  Shall  we 
enter  into  an  alliance — offensive  and  defensive  ?  " 

She  stood  by  the  mantel-piece,  slowly  buttoning  her  glove, 
and  looked  quite  handsome,  and  very  elegant  in  her  rich  wine- 
colored  silk  and  costly  furs. 

Looking  up  into  her  face,  Regina  wondered  how  far  she  might 
trust  that  apparently  frank  open  countenance,  and  Olga  smiled 
and  added  : 

"  You  are  a  cunning  fledgling,  not  to  be  caught  with  chaff. 
Have  they  bent  you  anything  to  eat  ?  " 


212  INFEL/CE. 

"I  declined  having  anything.     My  head  aches." 

"  Then  do  as  I  tell  you,  and  you  will  soon  feel  relieved.  There 
is  a  bath-room  on  this  floor.  Ring  for  Hattie,  and  tell  her  you 
want  a  good  hot  bath.  When  you  have  taken  it,  lie  down  and 
go  to  sleep.  One  word  before  I  go.  Do  try  not  to  be  hard  on 
Mamma.  Poor  Mamma  !  she  married  among  these  Palmas,  and 
very  soon  from  force  of  habit,  and  association,  she  too  grew 
politic,  cautious, — finally  she  also  froze, — and  has  never  quite 
thawed  again.  She  is  not  unkind, — you  must  not  think  so,  for 
an  instant ;  she  only  keeps  her  blood  down  to  the  safe,  wise  pru 
dent  temperature  of  sherbet.  Poor  Mamma!  She  does,  not 
like  dogs  ;  once  she  was  dreadfully  bitten, — almost  torn  to 
pieces  by  one,  and  very  naturally  she  has  developed  no  remark 
able  'affinity'  for  them  since  that  episode.  Hattie  will  get 
you  anything  you  need.  Take  your  bath  and  go  to  sleep, — 
and  dream  good-natured  things  about  Mamma." 

She  nodded,  smiled  pleasantly,  and  glided  away  as  noiselessly 
as  she  came,  leaving  Regina  perplexed,  and  nowise  encouraged 
with  reference  to  the  stern  cold  character  of  her  guardian. 

She  had  eaten  nothing  since  the  previous  day, — had  been  un 
able  to  close  her  eyes  after  bidding  Mrs.  Lindsay  farewell ;  and 
now  quite  overcome  with  the  reaction  from  the  painful  excite 
ment  of  yesterday's  incidents,  she  threw  herself  across  the  foot 
of  the  bed,  and  clasped  her  hands  over  her  throbbing  temples. 
No  sound  disturbed  her,  save  the  occasional  roll  of  wheels  on 
the  street  below,  and  very  soon  the  long  lashes  drooped,  and 
she  slept, — the  heavy  deep  sleep  of  mental  and  physical  ex 
haustion. 


CHAPTER  XJV. 

ED  by  poppy-wreathed  wands,  through  those  fabled 
ivory  gates  that  open  into  the  enchanted  realm  of 
dreams,  the  weary  girl  forgot  her  woes,  and  found 


INFELICE.  213 

blessed  reunion  with  the  absent  dear  ones,  whose  loss  had  so 
beclouded  the  morning  of  her  life. 

Under  the  burning  sun  of  India,  through  the  tangled  jungles 
of  Oude,  she  wandered  in  quest  of  the  young  missionary  and 
his  mother, — now  springing  away  from  the  crouching  tigers  that 
glared  at  her  as  she  passed  ;  now  darting  into  some  Himalayan 
cavern  to  escape  the  wild  ferocious  eyes  of  Nana  Sahib,  who 
offered  her  that  wonderful  lost  ruby  that  he  carried  off  in  his 
flight,  and  when  she  seized  it,  hoping  its  sale  would  build  a 
church  for  mission  worship,  it  dissolved  into  blood  that  stained 
her  fingers.  With  a  fiendish  laugh  Nana  Sahib  told  her  it  was 
a  part  of  the  heart  of  a  beautiful  woman  butchered  in  the 
"  House  of  Massacre"  at  Cawnpore.  On  and  on  she  pressed, 
footsore  and  weary  but  undaunted,  through  those  awful  moun 
tain  solitudes,  and  finally  hearing  in  the  distance  the  bark  of 
Hero,  she  followed  the  sound,  reached  the  banks  of  Jumna, 
and  there  amid  the  ripple  of  fountains,  and  the  sighing  of  the 
cypress, — in  the  cool  shadow  cast  by  the  marble  minarets  and 
domes  of  Shah  Jehan's  Moomtaj  mausoleum, — Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lindsay  joyfully  welcomed  her  ;  while  upon  the  fragrant  air 
floated  divine  melodies  that  Douglass  told  her  were  chanted  by 
angels  in  her  mother's  grave, — beneath  the  clustering  white 
columns. 

When  after  many  hours  she  awoke,  it  was  night.  A  faint 
light  trembled  in  one  of  the  globes  of  the  gas  chandelier,  and  a 
blanket  had  been  laid  over  her.  Starting  up,  she  saw  a  figure 
sitting  at  the  window,  apparently  watching  what  passed  in  the 
street  below. 

"  I  hope  you  feel  refreshed,  I  can  testify  you  have  slept  as 
soundly  as  the  youths  whom  Decius  put  to  bed  some  time  since 
near  Ephesus." 

Olga  rose,  turned  on  the  gas  that  flamed  up  instantly,  and 
showed  her  elaborately  dressed  in  evening  toilette.  Her  shoul 
ders  and  arms, — round  and  pearly  white, — were  bare  save  the 
shining  tracery  of  jewels  in  necklace  and  bracelets;  and  in  the 
long  train  of  blue  silk  that  flowed  over  the  carpet,  she  looked 


2 14  INF  ELI  Cb 

even  taller  than  in  the  morning  walking  suit.  Her  rudely  hair 
heaped  high  on  her  head,  was  surmounted  by  a  jewelled  comb, 
whence  fell  a,  cataract  of  curls  of  various  lengths  and  sizes, 
that  touched  the  filmy  lace  which  bordered  her  shoulders  like  a 
line  of  foam  where  blue  silk  broke  on  dimpled  flesh. 

As  Regina  gazed  admiringly  at  her,  Olga  came  closer,  and 
stood  under  the  gas-light. 

"  A  penny  for  your  thoughts  !  Am  I  handsome  ?  Some 
body  says  only  '  fools  and  children  tell  the  truth.'  You  are  not 
exactly  the  latter  ;  certainly  not  the  former  ; — nevertheless, 
being  a  rustic, — all  unversed  in  the  fashionable  accomplishment 
of  '  fibbing,'  you  may  dispense  with  the  varnish  pot  and  brush. 
Tell  ine  Regina,  don't  you  feel  inclined  to  fall  at  my  feet  and 
worship  me  ?  " 

"  Not  in  the  least.  But  I  do  think  you  very  handsome,  and 
your  dress  is  quite  lovely.  Are  you  going  to  a  party  or  a  ball  ?" 

"  To  a  '  Reception,'  where  the  people  will  be  crowded  like 
sardines, — where  my  puffs  will  be  mashed  as  flat  as  buckwheat 
cakes, — and  my  train  will  go  home  with  various  gentlemen, — • 
clinging  in  scraps  to  their  boot-heels  !  Were  you  ever  at  the 
sea-shore  ?  If  you  have  ever  chanced  to  walk  into  a  settle 
ment  of  fiddlers,  and  seen  them  squirming,  wriggling,  backward, 
forward,  sideways — you  may  understand  that  1  am  going  into  a 
similar  promiscuous  scramble.  Human  ingenuity  is  vastly  fer 
tile  in  the  production  of  fashionable  tortures;  and  when  that 
outraged  and  indignant  poet  savagely  asserted,  that  '  Man's  in 
humanity  to  man  makes  countless  thousands  mourn,' — 1  have  an 
abiding  conviction  that  he  had  just  been  victimized  at  a  *  Re 
ception '  or  'German,'  or  '  Kettle-drum,'  or  'Masque  Ball,' — or 
some  such  fine  occasion,  where  people  are  amused  by  treading 
on  each  other's  toes,  and  gnawing  (metaphorically,)  their  neares* 
neighbor's  vertebrae." 

"  Do  you  not  enjoy  going  into  society  ?" 

"  Cela  depend !  You  are  an  unsophisticated  little  package 
of  innocent  rusticity,  and  have  yet  to  learn : 


INF  ELI  CE.  215 

'  Society  is  now  one  polished  horde, 

Formed  of  two  mighty  tribes, 
The  Bores,  and  Bored  ! ' 

I  speak  advisedly,  for  lo  these  four  years  !  I  have  energeti 
cally  preyed,  and  been  preyed  upon.  When  I  was  your  age, 
I  was  impatient  to  break  away  from  my  governess,  and  soar 
into  the  flowery  pastures  of  fashionable  gayety, — with  the  crowd 
of  other  butterflies  that  seemed  so  happy,  so  lovely  ; — but  now 
that  I  have  bruised  my  pretty  wings, — and  tarnished  the  gilding, 
— and  rubbed  off  the  fresh  enamelling, — I  would  if  I  could, 
crawl  back  into  a  safe  brown  cocoon, — or  hide  in  some  quiet 
and  forgotten  chrysalis.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  Moloch  ?  " 

"  Yes  of  course  ;  I  know  it  was  a  brazen  image,  heated  red 
hot,  in  whose  arms  children  were  placed  by  idolatrous  heathen 
parents." 

"  No  such  thing  !  that  is  a  foolish,  obsolete  Rabbinical  myth. 
You  must  not  talk  such  old-fashioned  folly.  Hearken  to  the 
solemn  truth  that  underlies  that  fable  ; — Moloch  reigns  here,  in 
far  more  pomp  and  splendor  than  the  Ammonites  ever  dreamed 
of.  Crowned  and  sceptred,  he  is  now  called  '  Wealth  and 
Fashion,'  holds  daily  festivals  and  nightly  orgies  where  salads, 
boned  turkeys,  charlotte  russe,  pistachio  souffles, — creams,  ices, 
champagne-julep,  champagne  frappe,  and  persicot  call  the  mul 
titude  to  worship  ;  and  there  while  the  stirring  notes  of  Strauss 
ring  above  the  sighs  and  groans  of  the  heroic  victims,  fathers 
and  mothers  bring  their  sons  and  daughters  bravely  decked  in 
broadcloth  and  satin,  white  kid  and  diamonds, — and  offer  them 
in  sacrifice ; — and  Moloch  clasps,  scorches,  blackens  all !  Wide 
wonderful  blue  eyes — how  shocked  you  look !  " 

Olga  laughed  lightly,  shook  out  the  fringed  ends  of  her  broad 
white  silk  sash,  and  glanced  in  the  mirror  of  the  bureau,  to  see 
the  effect. 

"  Regina  don't  begin  City  life  by  a  system  of  starvation  that 
would  do  infinite  credit  to  a  Thebaid  anchorite.  Kat  abun 
dantly.  Take  generous  care  of  your  body,  for  spiritual  famine 


2i6  INF  ELI  CE. 

is  inevitably  ahead  of  you.  Yonder  on  the  table,  carefully 
covered,  is  your  dinner.  Of  course  it  is  cold  ;  stone-cold  as 
this  world's  charity, — but  people  who  sleep  until  eight  o'clock, 
ought  not  to  expect  smoking  hot  viands.  A  good  meal  gives 
one  far  more  real  philosophy  and  fortitude,  than  all  the  volumes 
Aristotle  and  Plato  ever  wrote.  Do  you  hear  that  bell  ?  It  is 
a  signal  to  attend  the  festival  of  Milcom. — Oh  Mammon  !  be 
hold  I  come." 

She  moved  toward  the  door,  and  said  from  the  threshold : 

"  I  say  unto  you — eat.  Then  come  down  stairs  and  amuse 
yourself  looking  about  the  house.  There  are  some  interesting 
things  in  the  parlors,  and  if  you  are  musical,  you  will  find  a  piano 
that  cost  one  thousand  dollars.  When  I  am  away,  there  are  no 
skeletons  in  this  house,  so  you  need  not  fear  sleeping  here 
alone.  My  room  is  on  the  same  floor.  Good  night." 

Refreshed  by  her  sound  sleep,  Regina  bathed  her  face,  re 
arranged  her  hair,  and  ate  the  dinner,  which  although  cold,  was 
very  temptingly  prepared.  When  Hattie  came  to  carry  down 
the  silver  tray  containing  the  delicate  green  and  gold  china 
dishes,  she  complimented  the  stranger  upon  the  improvement 
in  her  appearance  ; — adding  : 

"  Miss  Olga  directed  me  to  show  you  the  house,  and  any 
thing  you  might  like  to  look  at, — so  I  lighted  the  parlors  and 
reception  room  ;  and  the  library  always  has  a  fire,  and  the  gas 
burning.  That  is  next  to  Mr.  Pahna's  bed  room,  and  is  his 
special  place.  He  comes  and  goes  so  irregularly  that  we  never 
can  tell  when  he  is  in  it.  Once  last  year  he  got  home  at  nine 
o'clock,  unexpectedly,  and  sat  up  all  night  writing  there  in  the 
cold.  Next  morning  he  gave  orders  for  fire  and  light  in  that 
room,  whether  he  was  at  home  or  not.  Miss  if  you  don't  mind 
looking  about  by  yourself,  I  should  like  to  run  around  to 
Eighth  Avenue,  for  a  few  minutes,  to  see  my  sick  aunt.  Terry 
has  gone  out,  and  Mary  promised  to  answer  the  bell,  if  any 
one  called.  Farley  says  be  easy  about  your  dog  ;  he  had  a 
hearty  dinner  of  soup  and  meat,  and  is  on  a  softer  bed,  than 
some  poor  souls  lie  on  to-night  Can  I  go  ?  " 


INFELICE.  2  r  7 

"  Certainly,  I  am  not  afraid ;  and  when  I  get  sleepy  I  will 
come  up  and  go  to  bed.  When  will  Mrs.  Falma  and  Miss 
Neville  come  home  ?  " 

"  Not  before  midnight,  if  then." 

She  explained  to  Regina  how  to  elevate  and  extinguish  the 
gas,  and  the  two  went  down  to  the  sitting-room, — whence  Hattie 
soon  disappeared.  Raising  the  silk  curtain  that  divided  this 
apartment  from  the  parlors,  Regina  walked  slowly  up  and  down 
upon  the  velvet  carpet  in  which  her  feet  seemed  to  sink,  as  on 
a  bed  of  moss ;  and  her  eyes  wandered  admiringly  over  the 
gilded  stands,  gleaming  bronzes, — marble  statuettes, — papier 
mache,  ormolu,  silk,  lace,  brocatel,  moquette,  satin  and  silver 
which  attracted  her  gaze. 

Beautiful  pictures  adorned  the  tinted  walls,  and  the  ceiling 
was  brilliantly  frescoed,  while  one  of  the  wide  bay-windows  con 
tained  a  stand  filled  with  a  superb  array  of  wax-flowers.  Re 
gina  opened  the  elegant  grand  piano,  but  forbore  to  touch  the 
keys,  and  at  last  when  she  had  feasted  her  eyes  sufficiently  upon 
some  lovely  landscapes  by  Gifford  and  Bierstadt,  she  quitted 
the  richly  decorated  parlors,  and  slowly  went  up  the  stairs  that 
led  to  the  room,  which  Hattie  had  pointed  out  as  Mr.  Palma's 
library. 

Leaving  the  door  partly  open,  she  entered  a  long  lofty  apart 
ment,  the  floor  of  which  was  of  marquetry,  polished  almost  as 
glass, — with  furred  robes  laid  here  and  there  before  tables,  and 
deep  luxurious  easy-chairs. 

Four  spacious  lines  of  book-shelves  with  glass  doors  bearing 
silver  handles,  girded  the  sides  of  the  room,  and  the  walls  were 
painted  in  imitation  of  the  Pompeian  style  ; — while  the  corners 
of  the  ceiling  held  lovely  frescos  of  the  seasons, — -and  in  the 
centre  was  a  /odiac.  Bronze  and  marble  busts  shone  here  and 
there,  and  where  the  panels  of  the  wall  were  divided  by  repre 
sentations  of  columns,  metal  brackets  and  wooden  consoles 
sustained  delicate  figures  and  groups  of  sculpture. 

Filled  with  wonder  and  delight  the  girl  glided  across  the 
shining  mosaic  floor,  gazing  now  at  the  glowing  garlands,  and 
10 


218  INFELICE. 

winged  figures  on  the  wall,  and  now  at  the  elegantly  bound 
books  whose  gilded  titles  gleamed  through  the  plate  glass. 

She  had  read  of  such  rooms,  in  "  St.  Martirt  s  Summer"  a 
volume  Mrs.  Lindsay  never  tired  of  quoting, — but  this  exquis 
ite  reality  transcended  all  her  previous  flights  of  imagination, 
and  approaching  the  bright  coal  fire,  she  basked  in  the  genial 
glow, — in  the  atmosphere  of  taste,  culture,  and  rare  luxury.  A 
quaint  clock  inlaid  with  designs  in  malachite,  ticked  drowsily 
upon  the  low  black  marble  mantle,  which  represented  winged 
lions  bearing  up  the  slab,  and  near  the  hearth  was  an  ebony 
and  gold  escritoire  which  stood  open,  revealing  a  bronze  ink 
stand,  and  velvet  penwiper.  Before  it  sat  the  revolving  chair, 
with  a  bright-colored  embroidered  cushion  for  the  feet  to  rest 
upon  ;  and  in  a  recess  behind  the  desk,  and  partly  screened 
by  the  sweep  of  damask  curtains,  hung  a  man's  pearl-gray  dress 
ing-gown,  lined  with  cherry  silk  ;  while  under  it  rested  a  pair  of 
black-velvet  slippers  encrusted  with  vine  leaves  and  bunches  of 
grapes  in  gold  bullion. 

Wishing  to  see  the  effect,  Regina  took  a  taper  from  the 
Murrhine  cup  on  the  mantle,  and  standing  on  a  chair,  lighted 
the  cluster  of  burners  shaped  like  Pompeian  lamps, — in  the 
chandelier  nearest  the  grate  ;  then  went  back  to  the  rug  before 
the  fire,  and  enjoyed  the  spectacle  presented. 

What  treasures  of  knowledge  were  contained  in  this  beauti 
ful,  quiet,  brilliant  room  ? 

Would  she  be  permitted  to  explore  the  contents  of  those 
book  shelves,  where  hundreds  of  volumes  invited  her  eager  in 
vestigation  ?  Could  she  ever  be  as  happy  here,  as  in  the  hum 
ble  yet  hallowed  library  at  the  dear  old  Parsonage  ? 

An  oval  table  immediately  under  the  gas-globes,  held  a 
china  stand  filled  with  cigars,  —  and  seeing  several  books  lying 
near  it,  she  took  up  one. 

It  was  Gustave  Dore's  "  Wandering  Jew,"  and  throwing  her 
self  down  on  the  rug,  she  propped  her  head  with  one  hand, 
while  the  other  slowly  turned  the  leaves,  and  she  examined  the 
wonderful  illustrations.  She  was  vaguely  conscious  that  the 


INFELICE. 


219 


clock  struck  ten,  but  paid  little  attention  to  the  flight  of  time, 
and  after  awhile  she  closed  the  book,  drew  the  cushion  before 
the  desk,  to  the  rug  in  front  of  the  fire, — laid  her  head  on  it, — 
and  soothed  by  the  warmth  and  perfect  repose  of  the  room  fell 
asleep. 

Soon  after,  the  door  opened  wider,  and  Mr.  Palma  entered, 
and  walked  half  way  down  the  room  ere  he  perceived  the  re 
cumbent  figure.  He  paused,  then  advanced  on  tiptoe  and 
stood  by  the  hearth,  warming  his  white  scholarly  hands  and 
looking  down  on  the  sleeper. 

With  the  careless  grace  of  a  child,  innocent  of  the  art  of  atti 
tudinizing,  she  had  made  herself  thoroughly  comfortable ;  and 
as  the  light  streamed  full  upon  her,  all  the  marvellous  beauty  of 
the  delicate  face,  and  the  perfect  modelling  of  the  small  hands 
and  feet  were  clearly  revealed.  The  glossy  raven  hair  clung  in 
waving  masses  around  her  white  full  forehead,  and  the  long 
silky  lashes  lay  like  jet  fringe  on  her  exquisitely  moulded 
cheeks  ;  while  the  remarkably  fine  pencilling  of  her  arched 
brows,  which  had  attracted  her  guardian's  notice  when  he  first 
saw  her  at  the  convent,  was  still  more  apparent  in  the  gradual 
development  of  her  features. 

Studying  the  face  and  form,  and  rigidly  testing  both  by  the 
fastidious  canons,  that  often  rendered  him  hypercritical, — Mr. 
Palma  could  find  no  flaw  in  contour  or  in  coloring, — save  that 
the  complexion  was  too  dazzlingly  white  ;  lacking  the  rosy  tinge 
which  youth  and  health  are  wont  to  impart. 

Stretching  his  arm  to  the  escritoire,  he  softly  opened  a  side 
drawer,  took  out  an  oval-shaped  engraving  of  his  favorite  Sap 
pho,  and  compared  the  nose,  chin  and  ear,  with  those  of  the 
unconscious  girl.  Satisfied  with  the  result,  he  restored  the 
picture  to  its  hiding-place.  Four  years  had  materially  changed 
the  countenance  he  had  seen  last  at  the  Parsonage,  but  the 
almost  angelic  purity  of  expression  which  characterized  her  as 
a  child,  had  been  intensified  by  time  and  recent  grief, — and 
watching  her  in  her  motionless  repose,  he  thought  that  un 
questionably  she  was  the  fairest  image  he  had  ever  seen  in 


220  INF E  LICE. 

flesh  ;  though  a  certain  patient  sadness  about  her  beautiful  lips, 
told  him  that  the  waves  of  sorrow  were  already  beating  hoarsely 
upon  the  borders  of  her  young  life. 

Standing  upon  his  own  hearth,  a  man  of  magnificent  stature 
and  almost  haughty  bearing,  Erie  Palma  looked  quite  forty, — • 
though  in  reality  younger ;  and  the  stern  repression,  the 
cautious  reticence  which  had  long  been  habitual,  seemed  to 
have  hardened  his  regular  handsome  features.  Weary  with  the 
business  cares,  the.  professional  details  of  a  trip  that  had  yielded 
him  additional  laurels  and  distinction,  and  gratified  his  towering 
pride,  he  had  come  home  to  rest ;  and  found  it  singularly  re 
freshing  to  study  the  exquisite  picture  of  innocence,  lying  on 
his  library  rug. 

He  wondered  how  the  parents  of  such  a  child  could  entrust 
her  to  the  guardianship  of  strangers ;  and  whether  it  would  be 
possible  for  her  to  carry  her  peculiar  look  of  holy  purity — safely 
into  the  cloudy  Beyond — of  womanhood  ? 

While  he  pondered,  the  clock  struck, — and  Regina  awoke. 

At  sight  of  that  tall  stately  figure,  looming  like  a  black  statue 
between  her  and  the  glow  of  the  grate,  she  sprang  first  into  a 
sitting  posture, — then  to  her  feet 

He  made  no  effort  to  assist  her,  only  watched  every  move 
ment,  and  when  she  stood  beside  him,  he  held  out  his  hand. 

"  JRegina  I  am  glad  to  see  you  in  my  house ;  and  am  sorry  I 
could  not  have  been  at  home  to  receive  you." 

Painfully  embarrassed  by  the  thought  of  the  position  in  which 
he  had  found  her,  she  covered  her  face  with  her  hand ;  and  at 
the  sound  of  his  grave  deep  voice,  the  blood  swiftly  mounted 
from  her  throat,  to  the  tip  of  her  small  shell-shaped  ears. 

He  waited  for  her  to  speak,  but  she  could  not  sufficiently 
conquer  her  agitation,  and  with  a  firm  hand  he  drew  down  the 
shielding  fingers,  holding  them  in  his. 

"  There  is  nothing  very  dreadful  in  your  being  caught  fast 
asleep,  like  a  white  kitten  on  a  velvet  rug.  If  you  are  nevei 
guilty  of  anything  worse,  you  and  your  guardian  will  not  quar 
rel." 


INF E  LICE.  221 

Her  face  had  drooped  beyond  the  range  of  his  vision,  and 
when  he  put  one  hand  under  her  chin  and  raised  it,  he  saw  that 
the  missing  light  in  the  alabaster  vase  had  been  supplied,  and 
her  smooth  cheeks  were  flushed  to  brilliant  carmine. 

How  marvellously  lovely  she  was  in  that  rush  of  color  that 
dyed  her  dainty  lips,  and  made  the  large  soft  eyes  seem  radiant 
as  stars,  when  they  bravely  struggled  up  to  meet  his, —  so 
piercing,  so  coolly  critical. 

"Will  you  answer  me  one  question,  if  I  ask  it  ?" 

"  Certainly  Mr.  Palma  ;  at  least  I  will  try." 

"  Are  you  afraid  of  me  ?  " 

The  sweet  mouth  quivered,  but  the  clear  lustrous  eyes  did 
not  sink. 

"Yes  Sir, — I  have  always  been  afraid  of  you.' 

"  Do  you  regard  me  as  a  monster  of  cruelty  ?  " 

"No  Sir." 

"  Will  your  conscience  allow  you  to  say  :  *  My  Guardian  I 
am  glad  to  see  you  ?  " 

She  was  silent. 

"That  is  right,  little  girl.  Be  perfectly  truthful,  and  some 
day  we  may  be  friends.  Sit  down." 

He  handed  her  a  chair,  and  rolling  forward  one  of  the  deep 
cushioned  seats,  made  himself  comfortable  in  its  soft  luxurious 
latitude.  Throwing  his  massive  head  back  against  the  purple 
velvet  lining,  he  adjusted  his  steel-rimmed  spectacles,  joined 
his  hands,  and  built  a  pyramid  with  his  fingers  ;  while  he  scru 
tinized  her  as  coldly,  as  searchingly  as  SwammerdaRi  or  Leeu- 
wenhoek  might  have  inspected  some  new  and  as  yet  unclassi 
fied  animalculum, — or  as  Filippi  or  Pasteur  studied  the  causes 
of  "  Pebrine." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  New  York  ?  " 

"  It  seems  a  vast  human  sea,  in  which  I  could  easily  lose 
myself,  and  be  neither  missed,  nor  found." 

"  Have  you  studied  mythology  at  all  ?  Or  was  your  pastor- 
guardian  afraid  of  paganizing  you  ?  Did  you  ever  hear  of 
Argus  ?  " 


222  INF  ELI  CE. 

"  Yes  Sir,  I  understand  you." 

"  He  was  merely  a  dim  prophecy  of  our  Police  system  ;  and 
when  adventurous  girls  grow  rebellious  and  essay  to  lose  them 
selves,  a  hundred  Arguses  are  watching  them.  You  seem  to 
like  my  library  ?  " 

"  It  is  the  most  beautiful  room  I  have  ever  seen." 

"  Wait  until  you  examine  the  triumph  of  upholstering  skill 
and  genius,  which  Mrs.  Palma  calls  her  parlors." 

"  I  saw  all  the  pretty  things  down  stairs,  but  nothing  will  com 
pare  with  this  lovely  place."  She  glanced  around,  with  undis 
guised  admiration. 

"Pretty  things  !  Objets  de  luxe!  Oh  ye  gods  of  fashion 
able  bric-a-brac!  verily  'out  of  the  mouths  of  babes — etc., 
etc.'  Be  very  careful  to  suppress  your  heretical  and  treason 
able  preference  in  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Palma,  who  avoids  this 
pet  library  of  mine,  as  if  it  were  a  magnified  Pandora's  box. 
Regina  I  have  reason  to  apprehend  that  you  and  she  declared 
war  at  sight." 

"  I  know  she  does  not  like  me." 

"  And  you  fully  reciprocate  the  prejudice  ?  " 

"  Mrs.  Palma  of  course  has  a  right  to  consult  her  own 
wishes  in  the  management  of  her  home  and  household." 

"  Just  here  permit  me  to  correct  you.  My  house,  if  you 
please, — my  household,  over  which  at  my  request — she  pre 
sides.  Upon  your  arrival,  you  did  not  find  her  quite  as  cordial 
as  vou  anticipated?" 

Her  gaze  wandertd  to  the  fire,  and  she  was  silent. 

"  Be  so  good  as  to  look  at  me,  when  I  speak  to  you.  Mrs. 
Palma  appeared  quite  harsh  to  you  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  have  made  no  complaint  against  your  mother." 

"Pardon  me, — Mrs.  Palma, — my  father's  wife, — if  you 
please.  Tell  me  the  particulars  of  your  reception  here." 

The  beautiful  face  turned  pleadingly  to  him. 

"  You  must  excuse  me  Sir.     I  have  nothing  to  tell  you." 

"  And  if  I  will  not  excuse  you  ?  " 

She  folded  her  hands  together,  and  compressed  her  lips. 


INF  ELI  CE.  223 

"Then  I  have  some  things  to  tell  you.  I  am  acquainted 
with  all  that  occurred  to-day." 

"  I  thought  you  were  in  Philadelphia  ?  How  could  you  know  ?  " 

"  Roscoe  told  me  everything,  and  I  have  questioned  Farley 
who  has  not  taken  your  vow  of  silence.  Mrs.  Palma  has 
some  prejudices,  which  as  far  as  is  compatible  with  reason, — a 
due  sense  of  courtesy  constrains  me  to  respect  ;  a.nd  as  I  have 
invited  her  to  officiate  as  mistress  of  my  establishment,  it  is 
eminently  proper  that  I  should  consult  her  opinions,  and 
encourage  no  rebellion  against  her  domestic  regulations.  One 
of  her  sternest  mandates, — inexorable  as  Mede  and  Persian 
statutes, — prohibits  dogs.  Now  what  do  you  expect  of  me  ?  " 

He  leaned  forward,  eying  her  keenly. 

"  That  you  will  do  exactly" 

"  As  I  please  ?  "  he  interrupted  : 

"  No  Sir, —exactly  right." 

"  That  amounts  to  the  same  thing,  does  it  not  ?  " 

She  shook  her  head. 

"  Your  impression  is,  that  I  will  not  please  to  do  exactly 
right  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  said  so,  Sir." 

"  Your  eyes  are  very  brave  honest  witnesses,  and  need  no 
support  from  your  lips.  Suppose  we  enter  into  negotiations 
and  compromise  matters  between  Mrs.  Palma  and  you  ?  This 
troublesome  dog  is  a  pestiferous  creature,  which  might  possi 
bly  be  tolerated  in  country  clover  fields, — but  is  most  wofully 
out  of  place  in  a  Fifth  Avenue  house.  Beside  you  will  soon  be 
a  young  lady,  and  your  beaux  will  leave  you  no  leisure  to  pet 
him.  You  are  fifteen  ?  " 

"  Not  yet, — and  if  I  were  fifty  it  would  make  no  difference, 
I  don't  want  any  beaux,  Sir, — but — I  must  have  my  Hero." 

"  Of  course,  all  misses  in  their  teens  believe  that  their  favor 
ite  is  a  hero." 

"  Mr.  Palma, — Hero  is  my  dog's  name." 

He  could  detect  a  quiver  in  her  slender  nostril,  and  under 
stood  the  heightening  arch  of  her  lip. 


224  INFELICE. 

"Oh!  is  it  indeed?  Well  no  dog  that  ever  barked,  is 
worth  a  household  hurricane.  You  must  make  up  your  mind 
to  surrender  him,  to  shed  a  few  tears  and  say  vale  Hero  ! 
Now  I  am  disposed  to  be  generous  for  once, — though  under 
stand  that  is  not  my  habit, — and  I  will  buy  him.  I  will  pay 
you,  let  rue  see — thirty-five — forty — well,  say  fifty  dollars? 
That  will  supply  you  with  Maillard's  bonbons  for  almost  a  year ; 
will  sweeten  your  bereavement." 

She  rose  instantly,  with  a  peculiar  sparkle  leaping  up  in  her 
splendid  eyes. 

"  There  is  not  gold  enough  in  New  York,  to  buy  him." 

"  What  !  I  must  see  this  surly  brute,  that  in  your  estima 
tion  is  beyond  all  price.  Tell  me  truly,  do  you  cling  to  him  so 
fondly, — because  some  school-boy  sweetheart, — some  rosy 

cheeked  lad  in  V gave  him  to  you  as  a  love  token  ?     Trust 

me  ;  we    lawyers    are   locked   iron  safes  for  all   such   tender 
secrets, — and  I  will  never  betray  yours." 

The  rich  glow  overflowed  her  cheeks  once  more. 

"  I  have  no  sweetheart.  I  love  my  Hero,  because  he  is  truly 
noble  and  sagacious ;  because  he  loves  me,  and  because  he  is 
mine, — all  mine." 

"  Truly  satisfactory  and  sufficient  reasons.  I  might  ask  how 
he  came  into  your  possession,  but  probably  you  shrink  from 
divulging  your  little  secret,  and  I  am  unwilling  to  force  your 
confidence." 

She  looked  curiously  into  his  face,  but  the  handsome  mouth 
and  chin  might  have  been  chiselled  in  stone,  for  any  visible  alter 
ation  in  their  fixed  stern  expression,  and  his  piercing  black  eyes 
seemed  diving  into  hers  through  microscopic  glasses. 
v  "  At  least  Regina,  I  venture  the  hope  that  he  came  properly 
and  honestly  into  your  heart  and  hands  ?  " 

"I  hope  so  too,  because  you  gave  him  to  me." 

"I?" 

"  Yes  Sir.  You  know  perfectly  well,  that  you  sent  him  to  me." 

"  I  sent  you  a  dog  ?  When  ?  Is  he  black,  brown,  striped, 
or  spotted  ?  " 


IN  FELICE.  22$ 

"  Snow-white,  and  you  know  as  well  as  I  do,  that  you  asked 
Mr.  Lindsay  to  bring  him  to  me,  soon  after  you  left  me  at 
V ." 

"  Indeed  !  Was  I  guilty  of  so  foolish  a  thing  ?  Did  you 
thank  me  for  the  present  ?  " 

"  J  asked  dear  Mr.  Hargrove  to  tell  you  when  he  wrote,  that 
I  was  exceedingly  grateful  for  your  kindness." 

"  Certainly  it  appears  so.  All  these  years,  the  dog  was  not 
worth  even  a  simple  note  of  thanks  ; — now,  all  the  banks  in 
Gotham  cannot  buy  him." 

The  chill  irony  of  his  tone  painfully  embarrassed  her. 

"  You  positively  refuse  to  sell  him  to  me  ?  " 

"Yes  Sir." 

"  Because  you  love  him  ?  " 

"Because  I  love  him  more  than  I  can  ever  make  you  com 
prehend." 

"  You  regard  me  as  a  dullard  in  comprehending  canine  quali 
ties  ?  " 

"I  did  not  say  so." 

"  Do  you  really  find  yourself  possessed  of  any  sentiment  of 
gratitude  toward  me  ?  If  so,  will  you  do  me  a  favor?" 

"  Certainly — if  I  can." 

"Thank  you.  I  shall  always  feel  exceedingly  obliged.  Pray 
do  not  look  so  uneasy,  and  grow  so  white  ; — it  is  a  small  matter. 
I  gave  you  the  dog  years  ago, — little  dreaming  that  I  was  there 
by  providing  future  discord  for  my  own  hearthstone.  With  a  de 
gree  of  flattering  delicacy,  which  1  assure  you  I  appreciate,  you 
decline  to  sell,  what  was  a  friendly  gift ;  and  now  I  simply  appeal 
to  your  generosity,  and  ask  you  please  to  give  him  back  to  me." 

She  recoiled  a  step,  and  her  fingers  clutched  each  other. 

"  Oh  Mr.  Palma  !  Don't  ask  me.  I  cannot  give  up  my  Hero. 
I  would  give  you  anything,  everything  else  that  I  own." 

"  Rash  little  girl !    What  else  have  you  to  give  ?    Yourself?  " 

He  was    smiling   now,  and  the    unbending  of  his  lips,  and 
glitter  of  his  remarkably  fine  teeth,  gave  a  strange  charm  to  his 
countenance,  generally  so  grave. 
10* 


226  INFELICE. 

"You  would  give  yourself  away,  sooner  than  that  unluckj 
dog?" 

"  I  belong  to  my  mother.  But  he  belongs  to  me,  and  I  never, 
never  will  part  with  him  ! " 

"  Jacta  est  alea  I  "  muttered  the  lawyer,  still  smiling. 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me.  It  may  seem  very 
selfish  and  obstinate  in  me, — and  perhaps  it  really  is  so, — but  I 
can't  help  it.  I  am  so  lonely  now,  and  Hero  is  all  that  I  have 
left  to  comfort  me.  Still  I  know  as  well  as  you  or  any  one  else, 
that  it  would  be  very  wrong  and  unkind  to  force  him  into  a  house 
where  dogs  are  particularly  disliked  ;  and  therefore  we  will  an 
noy  no  one  here,— we  will  go  away." 

''Will  you?     Where?" 

He  rose,  and  they  stood  side  by  side. 

Her  face  wore  its  old  childish  look  of  patient  pain,  remind 
ing  him  of  the  time,  when  she  stood  with  the  cluster  of  lilies 
drooping  against  her  heart.  He  saw  that  tears  had  gathered 
in  her  eyes,  rendering  them  larger,  more  wistful. 

"  I  do  not  know  yet.  Anywhere  that  you  think  best,  until 
we  can  write  and  get  mother's  permission  for  me  to  go  to  her. 
Will  you  not  please  use  your  influence  with  her  ?  " 

"To  send  you  from  the  shelter  of  my  roof?  That  would  be 
eminently  courteous  and  hospitable  on  my  part.  Besides  your 
mother  does  not  want  you." 

Observing  how  sharply  the  words  wounded  her,  he  added  : 

"  I  mean  that  at  present,  she  prefers  to  keep  you  here,  be 
cause  it  is  best  for  your  own  interests  ;  and  in  all  that  she  does,  I 
believe  your  future  welfare  is  her  chief  aim.  You  understand 
me,  do  you  not  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  understand  why,  or  how  it  can  be  best  for  a  poor 
girl  to  be  separated  from  her  mother,  and  thrown  about  the 
world,  burdening  strangers.  Still,  whatever  my  mother  does, 
must  be  right." 

"  Do  you  think  you  burden  me  ?  " 

"  I  believe  Sir,  that  you  are  willing  for  mother's  sake,  to  do 
all  you  can  for  me,  and  I  thank  you  very  much, — but  I 


INFELICE.  227 

must  not  bring  trouble  or  annoyance  into  your  family.  Can't 
you  place  me  at  some  school  ?  Mrs.  Lindsay  has  a  deaf 
friend, — the  widow  of  a  minister,  living  in  New  York, — and 
perhaps  she  would  take  me  to  board  in  her  house  ?  I  have  a 
letter  to  her.  Do  help  me  to  go  away  from  here." 

He  turned  quickly,  muttering  something  that  sounded  very 
like  a  half-smothered  oath,  and  took  her  little  trembling  hand, 
folding  it  gently  between  his  soft  warm  palms. 

"  Little  girl — be  patient ;  and  in  time  all  things  will  be  con 
quered.  As  long  as  I  have  a  home,  I  intend  to  keep  you, — or 
until  your  mother  sends  for  you.  She  trusts  me  fully,  and  you 
must  try  to  do  so,  even  though  sometimes  I  may  appear  harsh, 
— possibly  unjust.  Of  course  Hero  cannot  remain  here  at 
present,  but  I  will  take  him  down  to  my  office,  and  have  him 
carefully  attended  to ;  and  as  often  as  you  like,  you  shall  come 
and  see  him,  and  take  him  to  ramble  with  you  through  the 
parks.  As  soon  as  I  can  arrange  matters,  you  shall  have  him 
with  you  again." 

"  Please  Mr.  Palma  ! — send  me  to  a  boarding  school ; — or 
take  me  back  to  the  convent." 

"Never!" 

He  spoke  sternly,  and  his  face  suddenly  hardened,  while  his 
fingers  tightened  over  hers,  like  a  glove  of  steel. 

"  I  shall  never  be  contented  here." 

"  That  remains  to  be  seen." 

"  Mrs.  Palma  does  not  wish  me  to  reside  here." 

"  It  is  my  house,  and  in  future  you  will  find  no  cause  to 
doubt  your  welcome." 

She  knew  that  she  might  as  efficaciously  appeal  to  an  iron 
column,  and  her  features  settled  into  an  expression  that  could 
never  have  been  called  resignation, — that  plainly  meant  hope 
less  endurance.  She  attempted  twice  to  withdraw  her  hand, 
but  his  clasp  tightened.  Bending  his  haughty  head,  he  asked  : 

"  Will  you  be  reasonable  ?  " 

A  heavy  sigh  broke  over  her  compressed  mouth,  and  she 
answered  in  a  low,  but  almost  defiant  tone  : 


228  INF E  LICE. 

"  It  seems  I  cannot  help  myself." 

"Then  yield  gracefully  to  the  inevitable,  and  you  will  learn 
that  when  struggles  end,  peace  quickly  follows." 

She  chose  neither  to  argue,  nor  acquiesce,  and  slowly  shook 
her  head. 

"Regina." 

She  merely  lifted  her  eyes. 

"  I  want  you  to  be  happy  in  my  house." 

"Thank  you  Sir." 

"  Don't  speak  in  that  sarcastic  manner.  It  does  not  sound 
respectful  to  one's  guardian." 

She  was  growing  paler,  and  all  her  old  aversion  to  him,  was 
legible  in  her  countenance. 

"  Let  us  be  friends.     Try  to  be  a  patient,  cheerful  girl." 

"Patient, — I  will  try.  Cheerful, — no — no — not  here  !  How 
can  I  be  happy  in  this  house  ?  Am  I  a  brute, — or  a  stone  ?  Oh  ! 
I  wish  I  could  have  died  with  my  dear — dear  Mr.  Hargrove, — 
that  calm  night  when  he  went  to  rest  forever, — while  I  sang  ! " 

One  by  one  the  tears  stole  over  her  long  lashes,  and  rolled 
swiftly  down  her  cheeks. 

"  Will  you  tell  me  the  circumstances  of  his  death  ?  " 

"Please  do  not  ask  me  now.  It  would  bring  back  all  the 
sad  things  that  began  when  Mr.  Lindsay  left  me.  Everything 
was  so  bright  until  then, — until  he  went  away.  Since  then 
nothing  but  trouble, — trouble." 

A  frown  clouded  the  lawyer's  brow, — then  with  a  half-smile 
he  asked : 

"  Of  the  two  ministers,  whom  did  you  love  best  ?  Mr. 
Hargrove,  or  the  young  missionary  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,  both  were  so  noble,  good  and  kind ;  and 
both  are  so  very  dear  to  me.  Mr.  Pahna,  please  let  go  my 
hand  ;  you  hurt  me." 

"Pardon  me!     I  forgot  I  held  it." 

He  opened  his  hands,  and  looking  down  at  the  almost  child 
ish  fingers,  saw  that  his  seal  ring  had  pressed  heavily  iwon; 
and  reddened  the  soft  palm, 


INF E  LICE.  229 

"  I  did  not  intend  to  bruise  you  so  painfully,  but  in  some 
respects  you  are  such  a  tender  little  thing, — and  I  am  only  a 
harsh,  selfish  strong  man,  and  hurt  you  without  knowing  it, 
One  word  more,  before  I  send  you  off  to  sleep.  Olga  has  the 
most  kindly  ways,  and  really  the  most  affectionate  heart  under 
this  roof  of  mine,  and  she  will  do  all  she  can  for  your  comfort 
and  happiness.  Be  respectful  to  Mrs.  Palma,  and  she  shall 
meet  you  half  way.  This  is  as  you  say,  the  most  attractive 
room  in  the  house, — this  is  exclusively,  and  especially  mine  ; 
but  at  all  times,  whether  I  am  absent,  or  present,  you  must  con 
sider  yourself  thoroughly  welcome, — and  recollect,  all  it  con 
tains  in  the  book  line,  is  at  your  service.  To-morrow  I  will 
talk  with  you  about  your  studies,  and  examine  you  in  some  of 
your  text-books.  Apropos  !  I  take  my  breakfast  alone, — 
before  the  other  members  of  the  family  are  up, — and  unless 
you  choose  to  rise  early  and  join  me  at  the  seven  o'clock 
table,  you  need  not  be  surprised  if  you  do  not  see  me  until 
dinner,  which  is  usually  at  half-past  six.  If  you  require  any 
thing  that  has  not  been  supplied  in  your  room,  do  not  hesitate 
to  ring  and  order  it.  Try  to  feel  at  home." 

"  Thank  you  Sir." 

She  moved  a  few  steps,  and  he  added  : 

"Do  not  imagine  that  Hero  is  suffering  all  the  torments 
painted  in  Dante's  'Inferno;'  but  go  to  sleep  like  a  good 
child,  and  accept  my  assurance  that  he  is  resting  quite  comfort 
ably.  When  I  came  home,  I  took  a  light,  went  out  and  exam 
ined  his  kennel  ;  found  him  liberally  provided  with  food,  water, 
bed, — every  accommodation  that  even  your  dog, — which  all 
New  York  can't  buy, — could  possibly  wish.  Good-night,  little 
Dne.  Don't  dream  that  I  am  Blue  Beard  or  Polyphemus." 

"  Good-night  Mr.  Palma." 


230  INFELICE. 

•   » 


CHAPTER   XV. 

|RS.  ORME  I  am  afraid  you  will  overtax  your  strength. 
You  seem  to  forget  the  Doctor's  caution." 

"  No,  I  am  not  in  the  least  fatigued,  and  this  soft 
fresh  air  and  sunshine  will  benefit  me,  more  than  all  the  medi 
cine  in  your  ugly  vials.  Mrs.  Waul  recollect  that  I  have  been 
shut  up  for  two  months  in  a  close  room,  and  this  change  is 
really  delicious." 

"  You  have  no  idea  how  pale  you  look." 

"  Do  I  ?  No  wonder,  bleached  as  I  have  been  in  a  dark 
house.  I  daresay  you  are  tired,  and  I  insist  that  you  sit  yonder 
under  the  trees,  and  rest  yourself,  while  I  stroll  a  little  farther. 
No — keep  the  shawl,  throw  it  around  your  own  shoulders, 
which  seem  afflicted  with  a  chronic  chill.  Here  is  a  New  York 
paper ;  feast  on  American  news  till  I  come  back." 

Upon  a  seat  in  the  garden  of  the  Tuileries,  Mrs.  Orme 
placed  her  gray-haired  Duenna  attendant,  and  gathering  her 
black-lace  drapery  about  her  turned  away  into  one  of  the  broad 
walks,  that  divided  the  flower-bordered  lawns. 

Thin,  almost  emaciated,  she  appeared  far  taller  than  when 
last  she  swept  across  the  stage, — and  having  thrown  back  her 
veil,  a  startling  and  painful  alteration  was  visible  in  the  face — • 
that  had  so  completely  captivated  fastidious  Paris. 

Pallid  as  Mors,  the  cheeks  had  lost  their  symmetrical  oval, — 
were  hollow, — and  under  the  sunken  eyes  clung  dusky  circles 
that  made  them  appear  unnaturally  large,  and  almost  Dantesque 
in  their  mournful  gleaming.  Even  the  lips  seemed  shrunken, 
changed  in  their  classic  contour  ;  and  the  ungloved  hand  that 
clasped  the  folds  of  lace  across  her  bosom,  was  wasted,  wan, 
diaphanous. 

That  brilliant  Parisian  career,  which  had  opened  so  auspici- 
pusly,  closed  summarily  during  the  second  week  of  her  engage 
ment,  in  darkness  that  threatened  to  prove  the  unlifting  shadow 


INFELICE.  231 

of  death.  The  severe  tax  upon  her  emotional  nature,  the  con 
tinued  intense  strain  on  her  nerves, — as  night  after  night  she 
played  to  crowded  houses, — shunning  as  if  it  contained  a  basi 
lisk,  the  sight  of  that  memorable  box, — where  she  felt  rather 
than  saw  that  a  pair  of  violet  eyes  steadily  watched  her, — all 
this  had  conquered  even  her  powerful  will, — her  stern  resolute 
purpose,  and  one  fatal  evening  the  long-tried  woman  was  irre 
trievably  vanquished. 

The  role  was  "Queen  Katherine,"  and  the  first  premonitory 
faintness  rendered  her  voice  uneven,  as  kneeling  before  King 
Henry,  the  unhappy  wife  uttered  her  appeal : 

" Alas,  Sir,— 

In  what  have  I  offended  you  ?     What  cause 

Hath  my  behavior  given  to  your  displeasure, 

That  thus  you  should  proceed  to  put  me  off, 

And  take  your  good  grace  from  me  ?     Heaven  witness, 

I  have  been  to  you  a  true  and  humble  wife." 

As  the  play  proceeded  she  was  warned  by  increasing  giddi 
ness,  and  a  tremulousness  that  defied  her  efforts  to  control  it ; 
and  she  rushed  on  toward  the  close, — lighting  desperately  with 
physical  prostration. 

Upon  the  last  speech  of  the  dying  and  disowned  wife  she  had 
safely  entered,  and  a  few  more  minutes  would  end  her  own 
fierce  struggle  with  numbing  faintness,  and  bring  her  succor  in 
rest.  But  swiftly  the  blazing  footlights  began  to  dance  like 
witches  of  Walpurgis  night  on  Brocken  heights  ;  now  they  nick 
ered, — suddenly  grew  blue, — then  black, — an  icy  darkness  as 
from  some  ghoul-haunted  crypt  seized  her, — and  while  she 
threw  out  her  hands  with  a  strange  groping  motion,  like  a  bird 
beating  the  air  with  dying  wings, — her  own  voice  sounded  far 
off, — a  mere  fading  echo  : 

"  Farewell — farewell. — Nay,  Patience  " 

She  could  only  hear  a  low  hum,  as  of  myriads  of  buzzing 
bees  ; — she  realized  that  she  must  speak,  louder, — and  thus  blind, 
shivering,  reeling, — she  made  her  last  brave  rally : 


232  INFELICE. 

'* Strew  me  o'er 

With  maiden  flowers,  that  all  the  world  may  know 
I  was  a  chaste  wife  to  my  grave ; — embalm 
Then  lay  me  forth ; — although  unqueened, — yet — 
Yet— like— like  " 

The  trembling  shadowy  voice  ceased  ;  the  lips  moved  to 
utter  the  few  remaining  words,  but  no  sound  came.  The  wide 
eyes  stared  blankly  at  the  vast  audience,  where  people  held 
their  breath,  watching  the  ghastly  livid  pallor  that  actually  set 
tled  upon  the  face  of  the  dying  Queen,  and  in  another  instant, 
the  proud  lovely  head  drooped  like  a  broken  lily,  and  she  fell 
forward  senseless. 

As  the  curtain  was  rung  hastily  down,  Mr.  Laurance  leaned 
from  his  box,  and  hurled  upon  the  stage  a  large  crown  of  white 
roses,  which  struck  the  shoulder  of  the  prostrate  figure,  and 
shattering,  scattered  their  snowy  petals  over  the  marble  face 
and  golden  hair. 

The  enthusiastic  acclaim  of  hundreds  of  voices  announced 
the  triumph  of  the  magnificent  acting  ;  but  after  repeated  calls 
and  prolonged  applause,  during  which  she  lay  unconscious,  the 
audience  was  briefly  informed  that  Madame  Orme  was  too  seri 
ously  indisposed  to  appear  again,  and  receive  the  tribute  she 
had  earned  at  such  fearful  cost. 

Recovering  slowly  from  that  long  swoon,  she  was  carefully 
wrapped  up,  and  led  away,  supported  by  the  arms  of  Mr.  Waul 
and  his  wife.  As  they  lifted  her  into  the  carriage  at  the  rear 
entrance  of  the  theatre,  she  sank  heavily  back  upon  the  cush 
ions,  failing  to  observe  a  manly  form  leaning  against  the  neigh 
boring  lamp-post, — or  to  recognize  the  handsome  face  where 
the  gas  shone  full, — lighting  up  the  anxious  blue  eyes  that  fol 
lowed  her. 

For  several  days  she  was  too  languid  to  move  from  her  couch, 
where  she  persisted  in  reclining,  supported  by  pillows ;  still 
struggling  against  the  prostration  that  hourly  increased,  and  at 
last  the  disease  asserted  itself,  fever  ensued,  bringing  uncon 
sciousness  and  delirium. 


INF  ELI  CE.  233 

Not  the  scorching  violent  type  that  rapidly  consumes  the 
vital  forces, — but  a  low  tenacious  fever  that  baffled  all  opposi 
tion,  and  steadily  gained  ground,  creeping  upon  the  nerve  cen 
tre,  and  sapping  the  foundations  of  life. 

For  many  weeks  there  seemed  no  hope  of  rescue,  and  two 
physicians  distinguished  by  skill  and  success  in  their  profession 
finally  admitted  that  they  were  powerless  to  cope  with  this  ty 
phoid  serpent,  whose  tightening  folds  were  gradually  strangling 
her. 

At  length  most  unexpectedly,  when  science  laid  down  its 
weapons,  to  watch  the  close  of  the  struggle, — and  nature  the 
Divine  Doctor  quietly  took  up  the  gage  of  battle, — the  tide  of 
conflict  turned.  Slowly  the  numbed  brain  began  to  exert  its 
force,  the  fluttering  thready  pulse  grew  calmer, — and  one  day 
the  dreamer  awoke  to  the  bitter  consciousness  of  a  renewal  of 
all  the  galling  burden  of  woes,  which  the  tireless  law  of  com 
pensation  had  for  those  long  weeks,  mercifully  loosed  and  lifted. 

Although  guarded  with  tender  care  by  the  faithful  pair,  who 
had  followed  her  across  the  Atlantic,  she  convalesced  almost 
imperceptibly, — and  out  of  her  busy  life,  two  months  fruitful 
alone  in  bodily  pain,  glided  away  to  the  silent  gray  of  the  past. 

Dimly  conscious  that  days  and  weeks  were  creeping  by,  un 
improved,  she  retained  in  subsequent  years  only  a  dreamy  rem 
iniscence  of  the  period  dating  from  the  moment, — when  she 
essayed  to  utter  the  last  words  of  Queen  Katherine, — words 
which  ran  zigzag,  hither  and  thither  like  an  electric  thread 
through  the  leaden  cloud  of  her  delirium, — to  the  hour,  when 
with  returning  strength,  keen  goading  thrusts  from  the  un 
sheathed  dagger  of  memory,  told  her  that  the  Sleeping  Furies 
had  once  more  been  aroused  on  the  threshold  of  the  temple  of 
her  life. 

Noticing  some  rare  hothouse  flowers  in  a  vase  upon  the  table 
near  her  bed,  Mrs.  Waul  hastened  to  explain  to  the  invalid 
that  every  other  day  during  her  illness,  bouquets  had  been 
brought  to  their  hotel  by  the  servant  of  some  American  gentle 
man,  who  was  anxious  to  receive  constant  tidings  of  Mrs. 


234  INFELICE. 

Orme's  condition  ;  adding  that  the  physicians  had  forbidden 
her  to  keep  the  flowers  in  the  sick-room,  until  all  danger  seemed 
passed.  No  card  had  been  attached,  no  name  given,  and  by 
the  sufferer  none  was  needed.  Gazing  at  the  superb  heart's- 
ease  whose  white  velvet  petals  were  enamelled  with  scarlet, 
purple  and  gold, — the  mockery  stung  her  keenly,  and  with  a 
groan  she  turned  away,  hiding  her  face  on  the  pillow.  Hearts 
ease  from  the  man  who  had  bruised,  trampled,  broken  her  heart  ? 
She  instructed  Mrs.  Waul  to  decline  receiving  the  bouquet 
when  next  the  messenger  came,  and  to  request  him  to  assure 
his  master  that  Madame  Orme  was  fully  conscious  once  more, 
and  wished  the  floral  tribute  discontinued. 

During  the  tedious  days  of  convalescence  she  contracted  a 
cold  that  attacked  her  lungs,  and  foreboded  congestion  ;  and 
though  yielding  to  medical  treatment,  it  left  her  as  souvenir,  a 
troublesome  cough. 

Her  physicians  informed  her  that  her  whole  nervous  system 
had  received  a  shock  so  severe,  that  only  perfect  and  prolonged 
rest  of  mind,  and  freedom  from  all  excitement  could  restore  its 
healthful  tone.  Interdicting  sternly  the  thought  of  dramatic 
labor,  for  at  least  a  year,  they  urged  her  to  seek  a  quiet  retreat 
in  Italy,  or  Southern  France,  as  her  lungs  had  already  become 
somewhat  involved. 

More  than  once  she  had  been  taken  in  a  carriage  through  the 
Bois  de  Boulogne, — but  to-day  for  the  first  time  since  her  recov 
ery,  she  ventured  on  foot,  in  quest  of  renewed  vigor  from  out 
door  air  and  exercise. 

Wrapped  in  a  mental  cloud  of  painful  speculation  concerning 
her  future  career, — a  cloud  unblessed  'as  yet,  by  silver  lining, 
and  unfringed  with  gold, — she  wandered  aimlessly  along  the 
walk,  taking  no  notice  of  passers-by,  until  she  approached  the 
water,  where  swans  were  performing  their  daily  regatta  evolu 
tions, — for  the  amusement  of  those  who  generally  came  provided 
with  crumbs  or  grain,  wherewith  to  feed  them. 

The  sound  of  a  sob  attracted  Mrs.  Orme's  attention,  and  she 
paused  to  witness  a  scene  that  quickly  aroused  her  sympathy. 


INF  ELI  CE.  235 

A  child's  carnage  had  been  pushed  close  to  the  margin  of 
the  basin,  to  enable  the  occupant  to  feast  the  swans  with  mor 
sels  of  cake,  and  in  leaning  over  to  scatter  the  food,  a  little  hat 
composed  of  lace,  silk  and  flowers,  had  fallen  into  the  water. 
Near  the  carriage  stood  a  boy  apparently  about  ten  years  old, 
who  with  a  small  walking-stick  was  maliciously  pushing  the 
dainty  millinery  bubble  as  far  beyond  reach,  as  possible. 

In  the  carriage,  and  partly  covered  by  a  costly  and  brilliant 
afghan,  reclined  a  forlorn  and  truly  pitiable  creature,  who 
seemed  to  have  sunk  down  helplessly  on  the  cushions.  Al 
though  her  age  was  seven  years,  the  girl's  face  really  appeared 
much  older,  and  in  its  shrunken,  sallow,  pinched  aspect  indi 
cated  lifelong  suffering. 

The  short  thin  dark  hairwras  dry  and  harsh,  lacking  the  silken 
gloss  that  belongs  to  childhood,  and  the  complexion  a  sickly 
yellowish  pallor.  Her  brilliant  eyes  were  black,  large  and 
prominent,  and  across  her  upper  lip  ran  a  diagonal  scar,  occa 
sionally  seen  in  those  so  afflicted  as  to  require  the  merciful  knife 
of  a  skilful  surgeon  to  aid  in  shaping  the  mouth. 

The  unfortunate  victim  of  physical  deformity,  increased  by  a 
fall  which  prevented  the  possibility  of  her  ever  being  able  to 
walk, — nature  had  with  unusual  malignity  stamped  her  with  a 
feebleness  of  intellect,  that  at  times  bordered  almost  on  imbe 
cility. 

Temporarily  deserted  by  her  nurse,  the  poor  little  crea 
ture  was  crying  bitterly  over  the  fate  of  her  hat.  Walking 
up  behind  the  boy,  who  was  too  much  engrossed  by  his  mis 
chievous  sport  to  observe  her  approach,  Mrs.  Orme  seized  his 
arms. 

"  You  wicked  boy  !  How  can  you  be  so  cruel  as  to  torment 
that  afflicted  child  ?  " 

Taking  his  pretty  mother-of-pearl-headed  cane,  she  tried  to 
touch  the  hat,  but  it  was  just  beyond  her  reach,  and  resolved 
to  rescue  it,  she  fastened  the  cane  to  the  handle  of  her  parasol, 
using  her  handkerchief  to  bind  them  together.  Thus  elongated 
it  sufficed  to  draw  the  hat  to  the  margin,  and  raising  it,  she 


236  INFELICE. 

shook  out  the  water,  and  hung  the  dripping  bit  of  finery  upon 
one  of  the  handles  of  the  carriage. 

"  Give  me  my  walking-stick,"  said  the  boy,  whose  pronuncia 
tion  proclaimed  him  thoroughly  English. 

"  No  Sir.  I  intend  to  punish  you  for  your  cruelty.  You 
tyrannized  over  that  helpless  little  girl,  because  you  were  the 
strongest.  I  think  I  have  more  strength  than  you,  and  you 
shall  feel  how  pleasant  such  conduct  is." 

Untying  the  cane,  she  raised  it  in  the  air,  and  threw  it  with 
all  the  force  she  could  command,  into  the  middle  of  the  water. 

"  Now  if  you  want  it,  wade  in  with  your  best  boots  and  Sun 
day  clothes  and  get  it ;  and  go  home  and  tell  your  parents,  if 
you  have  any,  that  you  are  a  bad,  rude,  ugly-behaved  boy. 
When  you  need  your  toy,  think  of  that  hat." 

The  cane  had  sunk  instantly,  and  with  a  sullen  scowl  of  rage 
at  her,  and  a  grimace  at  the  occupant  of  the  carriage,  the  boy 
walked  sulkily  away. 

With  her  handkerchief,  Mrs.  Orme  wiped  off  the  water  thai 
adhered  to  the  hat, — squeezed  and  shook  out  the  ribbons  and 
laid  it  upon  the  afghan,  in  reach  of  the  fingers  that  more  nearly 
resembled  claws,  than  the  digits  of  a  human  hand. 

"  Don't  cry  dear.     It  will  soon  dry  now." 

The  solemn  black  eyes  still  glistening  with  tears,  stared  up 
at  her,  and  impelled  by  that  peculiar  pitying  tenderness 
that  hovers  in  the  hearts  of  all  mothers,  Mrs.  Orme  bent  down 
and  gently  smoothed  the  elfish  locks  around  the  sallow  fore 
head. 

"  Has  your  nurse  run  away  and  left  you  ?  Don't  be  afraid; 
nothing  shall  trouble  you.  I  will  stay  with  you  till  she  comes 
back." 

"  Hellene  is  gone  to  buy  candy,"  said  the  dwarf,  timidly. 

"  My  dear,  what  is  your  name  ?  " 

"  Maud  Ames  Laurance." 

The  stranger  had  compassionately  taken  one  of  the  thin 
hands  in  her  own,  but  throwing  it  from  her  as  if  it  had  been  a 
serpent,  she  recoiled, — involuntarily  pushing  the  carriage  from 


INFELICE.  237 

its  resting  place.  It  rolled  a  few  steps  and  stopped,  while  she 
stood  shuddering. 

Her  first  impulse  was  to  hurry  away  ; — the  second  was  more 
feminine  in  its  promptings,  and  conquered.  Once  more  she 
approached  the  unfortunate  child,  and  scrutinized  her,  with  eyes 
that  gradually  kindled  into  a  blaze. 

She  bore  in  no  respect  the  faintest  resemblance  to  her  father, 
but  Mrs.  Orme  fancied  she  tiaced  the  image  of  the  large- 
featured  bold-eyed  mother ;  and  as  she  contrasted  this  feeble 
deformed  creature  with  the  remembered  face  and  figure  of  her 
own  beautiful  darling  girl, — a  bitter  but  intensely  triumphant 
laugh  broke  suddenly  on  the  air. 

"  Maud  Ames  Laurance  !  A  proud  name  truly — and  royally 
yon  grace  it  !  Ah  Nemesis  ! — Christianity  would  hunt  you 
down  as  a  pagan  myth, — but  all  honor, — glory  to  you,  incor 
ruptible  pitiless  Avenger  !  Accept  my  homage  ; — repay  my 
wrongs. — and  then  demand  in  sacrificial  tribute  what  you  will, 
— though  it  were  my  heart's  best  blood  !  Aha  !  will  she  lend 
luster  to  the  family  name  ?  Shall  the  splendor  of  her  high-born 
aristocratic  beauty  gild  the  crime  that  gave  her  being  ?  Yes 
•verily,  it  seems  that  after  all,  even  for  me  the  Mills  of  the  Gods 
do  not  forget  to  grind.  *  The  time  of  their  visitation  will  come, 
and  that  inevitably  ;  for,  it  is  always  true,  that  if  the  fathers 
have  eaten  sour  grapes,  the  children's  teeth  are  set  on  edge.' 
Command  my  life-long  allegiance,  oh  Queenly  Nemesis  !  " 

Sometimes  grovelling  in  the  dust  of  gross  selfishness  which 
clings  more  or  less  to  all  of  us,  we  bow  worshipping  before  the 
gods,  into  which  we  elevate  the  meanest  qualities  of  our  own 
nature,  apotheosizing  sinful  lusts  of  hate  and  vengeance  ; — and 
while  we  vow  reckless  tribute  and  measureless  libations,  lo  !  we 
are  unexpectedly  called  upon  for  speedy  payment. 

Looking  down  with  exultant  delight  on  the  ugly  deformity 
who  stared  back  wonderingly  at  her,  Mrs.  Orme's  wan  thin 
face  grew  radiant,  the  brown  eyes  dilated,  glowed,  and  the 
blood  leaped  to  her  hollow  cheeks,  burning  in  two  scarlet 
spots ;  but  the  invocation  seemed  literally  answered,  when  she 


238  INFELICE. 

was  suddenly  conscious  of  a  strange  bubbling  sensation, — and 
over  her  parted,  laughing  lips  crept  the  crimson  that  fed  her 
heart. 

At  this  moment  the  child's  nurse,  a  pretty  bright-eyed  young 
coquette,  hurried  toward  the  group,  accompanied  by  a  compan 
ion  of  the  same  class  ;  and  as  she  approached  and  seized  the 
handles  of  the  carriage,  Mrs.  Orme  turned  away.  The  hemor 
rhage  was  not  copious,  but  steady,  and  lowering  her  thick  veil, 
she  endeavored  to  stanch  its  flow.  Her  handkerchief  already 
damp  from  contact  with  the  wet  hat,  soon  became  saturated, 
and  she  was  obliged  to  substitute  the  end  of  her  lace  mantle. 

Fortunately  Mrs.  Waul  impatiently  watching  for  her  return, 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  yet  distant  figure  and  hastened  to  meet 
her. 

"  Are  you  crying  ?     What  is  the  matter  ?  " 

"My  lungs  are  bleeding; — lend  me  a  handkerchief.  Try 
and  find  a  carriage." 

"  What  caused  it  ?     Something  must  have  happened  ?  " 

"  Don't  worry  me  now.     Only  help  me  to  get  home." 

Screened  both  by  veils  and  parasols,  the  two  had  almost 
gained  the  street,  when  they  met  a  trio  of  gentlemen. 

One  asked  in  unmistakable  New-England  English  : 

"Laurance,  where  is  your  father?" 

And  a  voice  which  had  once  epitomized  for  Minnie  Merle  the 
"  music  of  the  spheres," — answered  in  mellow  tones  : 

"  He  has  been  in  London,  but  goes  very  soon  to  Italy." 

Mrs.  Waul  felt  a  trembling  hand  laid  on  her  arm,  and  turned 
anxiously  to  her  companion. 

"  Give  me  time.    My  strength  fails  me.     I  can't  walk  so  fast." 

The  excitement  of  an  hour,  had  overthrown  the  slow  work  of 
weeks  ;  and  after  many  days  the  physicians  peremptorily  ordered 
her  away  from  Paris. 

"  Home  !  Let  us  go  home.  You  have  not  been  yourself 
since  we  reached  this  City.  In  New  York  you  will  get  strong.' 

As  Mrs.  W'aul  spoke,  she  stroked  one  of  the  invalid's  thin 
hands,  that  hung  listlessly  over  the  side  of  the  sofa. 


INF  ELI  CE.  239 

"  I  think  Phoebe  is  right.  America  would  cure  you,"  added 
the  gray -haired  man,  whose  heart  was  yearning  for  his  native 
land. 

Alluring,  seductive  as  the  Siren  song  that  fioa  ted  across  Sicilian 
waves,  was  the  memory  of  her  fair  young  daughter,  to  this  suf 
fering  weary  mother  ;  and  at  the  thought  of  clasping  Regina  in 
her  arms, — of  feeling  her  tender  velvet  lips  once  more  on  her 
cheek, — the  lonely  heart  of  the  desolate  woman  throbbed  fiercely. 

Her  sands  of  life  seemed  ebbing  fast, — the  end  might  not  be 
distant ; — who  could  tell  ?  Why  not  go  back, — give  up  the 
chase  for  the  empty  shadow  of  a  name, — gather  her  baby  to  her 
bosom,  and  die  ; — finding  under  an  humble  cenotaph  the  peace 
that  this  world  denied  her  ? 

An  intolerable  yearning  for  the  sight  of  her  child,  for  the 
sound  of  her  voice, — broke  over  her  like  some  irresistible  wave 
bearing  away  the  vehement  protests  of  policy, — the  sterner 
barriers  of  vindictive  purpose, — and  with  a  long  shivering  moan, 
she  clasped  her  hands  and  shut  her  eyes. 

Impatiently  the  old  man  and  his  wife  watched  her  counte 
nance,  confident  that  the  decision  would  not  long  be  delayed, — • 
trusting  that  the  result  would  be  a  compliance  with  their  wishes. 
But  hope  began  to  fade  as  they  noticed  the  gradual  compression 
of  her  pale  sorrowful  mouth, — the  slow  gathering  of  the  brows 
that  met  in  a  heavy  frown, — the  tightening  of  the  clenched  fin 
gers, — the  grayish  shadow  that  settled  down  on  the  face  where 
renunciation  was  very  legibly  written.  The  temptation  had 
been  fierce,  but  she  put  it  aside,  after  bitter  struggles  to  hush 
the  wail  of  maternal  longing ;  and  before  she  spoke,  the  two 
friends  looked  at  each  other  and  sighed. 

Lifting  her  marble  eyelids  that  seemed  so  heavy  with  their 
sweeping  brown  lashes,  the  invalid  raised  herself  on  one  elbow, 
and  said  mournfully : 

"  Not  yet, — oh  !  not  yet.  I  cannot  give  up  the  fight  without 
one  more  struggle, — even  if  it  should  prove  that  of  death  to 
me.  I  must  not  return  to  America,  until  I  win  what  I  came 
for  ; — I  will  not.  But  my  friends, — for  such  I  consider  you, 


240  INFELICE. 

such  you  have  proved, — I  will  not  selfishly  prolong  your  exile  ; 
will  not  exact  the  sacrifice  of  your  dearest  wishes.  Go  back 
home  at  once,  and  enjoy  in  peace  the  old  age  that  deserves  to 
be  so  happy.  I  am  going  to  Italy,  hoping  to  regain  my  health, 
— possibly  to  die ; — but  still  I  shall  go.  How  long  I  may  be 
detained,  I  know  not,  but  meanwhile  you  shall  return  to  those 
you  love." 

"  Idle  words — all  idle  words  ;— not  worth  the  waste  of  your 
breath.  Phoebe  and  I  are  homesick, — we  do  not  deny  it,  and 
we  are  sonyyou  can't  see  things  as  we  do  ; — but  since  that  night 
when  I  stumbled  over  you  in  the  snow,  and  carried  you  to  my 
own  hearth, — you  have  been  to  Phoebe  and  me — as  the  child 
we  lost  ;  and  unless  you  are  ready  to  go  home  with  us,  we 
stay  here.  You  know  we  never  will  forsake  you,  especially  now. 
Hush, — don't  speak  Phoebe.  Come  away  wife  ; — she  is  crying 
like  a  tired  child.  I  never  saw  her  give  way  like  that  before. 
It  will  do  her  good.  Every  tear  softens  the  spasms  that  wring  her 
poor  heart,  when  she  thinks  of  her  baby.  In  crossing  the  ocean 
she  said  that  every  rolling  wave  seemed  to  her  a  grave,  in  which 
she  was  burying  her  blue-eyed  baby.  Let  her  alone  to-day  ;  keep 
out  of  her  sight.  To  morrow  we  will  arrange  to  quit  Paris,  I 
hope  forever." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

|RS.  PALM  A,  if  you  are  at  leisure,  I  should  like  to  see 
you  for  a  moment." 

"  Certainly  Miss  Orme,  come  in." 
Mrs.   Palma  looked  up  for  an   instant  only,  from  the  blue 
sash  which  she  was  embroidering  with  silver. 

"  Is  your  discourse  confidential  ?  If  so,  I  shall  certainly  re 
tire,  and  leave  you  and  Mamma  to  tender  communings,  and  an 
interchange  of  souls,"  said  Olga,  who  reclined  on  a  lounge  in 


INF  ELI  CE.  241 

her  mother's  room,  and  slowly  turned  the  leaves  of  a  volume 
of  Balzac. 

"  Not  at  all  confidential.  Mrs.  Palma  I  have  reason  to  fear 
that  my  piano  practising  has  long  annoyed  you." 

"Upon  what  do  you  base  your  supposition?  During  the 
year  I  have  not  found  fault  with  you,  have  I  ?  " 

"  Hattie  told  me  that  you  often  complained  that  you  could 
no  longer  enjoy  your  morning  nap,  because  the  sound  of  the 
piano  disturbed  you  ;  and  I  wish  to  change  the  hour.  The 
reason  why  I  selected  that  time,  was  because  I  always  rose 
early  and  practised  before  breakfast,  until  I  came  here ;  and 
because  later  in  the  day,  company  in  the  parlors  or  reception 
room  keep  me  out.  I  am  anxious  to  do  whatever  is  most  agree 
able  to  you." 

"  It  is  very  true  that  when  I  am  out  frequently  until  two  and 
three  o'clock,  with  Olga,  it  is  not  particularly  refreshing  to  be 
aroused  at  seven  by  scales  and  exercises.  People  who  live  as 
continually  in  society  as  we  do,  must  have  a  little  rest." 

"  I  have  been  trying  to  arrange,  so  as  to  avoid  annoying  you, 
but  do  not  well  see  how  to  correct  the  trouble.  From  nine  un 
til  one,  Mr.  Van  Kleik  comes  to  attend  to  my  Latin,  German, 
French,  and  mathematics,  and  from  four  until  five,  Professor 
Hurtzsel  gives  me  my  lessons.  In  the  interval  persons  are 
frequently  calling,  and  of  course  interrupt  me.  If  you 
will  only  tell  me  what  you  wish,  I  will  gladly  consult  your 
convenience." 

"  Indeed  Miss  Orme,  1  do  not  know  when  the  tiresome  prac 
tice  will  be  convenient,  though  of  course  it  is  a  necessary  evil 
and  must  be  borne.  The  fact  is,  that  magnificent  Grand-piano 
downstairs  ought  never  to  be  thrummed  upon  for  daily  prac 
tising.  I  told  Erie,  soon  after  you  came,  that  it  was  a  shame  to 
have  it  so  abused,  but  men  have  no  understanding  of  the  fitness 
of  things." 

"  Pray  Mamma,  do  not  forget  your  Bible  injunction  :  'render 
unto  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's.' — and  to  music,  the 
matters  that  belong  to  its  own  divine  art.  Until  Regina  came 
1 1 


242  INFELICE. 

among  us,  that  melodious  siren  in  the  front  parlor  had  a  chronic 
lock-jaw  from  want  of  use.  Some  of  the  white  keys  stuck  fast 
when  they  were  touched,  and  the  black  ones  were  so  stiff,  they 
almost  required  a  hammer  to  make  them  sound.  Do  let  her 
limber  them,  at  her  own  '  sweet  will.'  Who  wants  a  piano 
locked  up,  like  that  hideous  old  china,  and  heavy  glass, — 
that  your  grandfather's  fifth  cousin  brought  over  from  Amster 
dam  ?  " 

"  At  what  time  of  day  did  you  practise  when  you  were  a 
young  girl  ?  "  asked  Regina  appealing  to  the  figure  now  coiled 
up  on  the  lounge. 

-"  At  none, — thank  fortune  !  Regard  me  as  a  genuine  rara 
a?jis, — a  fashionable  young  lady  with  no  more  aptitude  for  the 
1  concord  of  sweet  sounds/*  than  for  the  abstractions  of  Hegel, 
or  Differential  Calculus.  It  is  traditional,  that  while  in  my 
nurse's  arms,  I  performed  miracles  of  melody  such  as  Auld  Lang 
Syne,  with  one  little  finger ;  but  such  undue  precocity,  madly 
stimulated  by  ambitious  Mamma  and  nurse  Nell,  resulted 
fatally,  in  the  total  destruction  of  my  marvellous  talent, — which 
died  of  cerebro-musical  excitement  when  confronted  with  the 
gamut.  Except  as  the  language  in  which  Strauss  appeals  to  my 
waltzing  genius,  I  have  no  more  use  for  it,  than  for  ancient 
Aztec.  Thank  Heaven  !  this  is  a  progressive  age,  and  girls  are 
no  longer  tormented  as  formerly  by  piano  fiends,  who  once 
persisted  in  pounding  and  squeezing  music  into  their  poor  strug 
gling  nauseated  souls, — as  relentlessly  as  girls'  feet  are  still 
squeezed  in  China.  My  talent  is  not  for  the  musical  tones  of 
Pythagoras." 

"  I  should  be  truly  glad  to  learn  in  what  direction  it  tends," 
said  her  mother  rather  severely. 

Up  rose  the  head  with  its  tawny  crown,  and  there  was  evi 
dent  emphasis  in  the  ringing  voice, — and  in  the  fiery  glance 
that  darted  from  her  laughing  hazel  eyes. 

"  Cruel  Mamma  !  Because  Euterpe  did  not  preside  when 
I  was  lucklessly  ushered  into  this  dancing  gilt  bubble  that  we 
call  the  world, — were  all  good  gifts  denied  me  ?  The  fairies 


INF E  LICE.  243 

ordained  that  I  should  paint,  should  soar  like  Apelles,  Angelo 
and  Da  Vinci  into  the  empyrean  of  pure  classic  art,  but  no 
sooner  did  I  dabble  in  pigment,  and  plume  my  slender 'artistic 
pin-feathers,  than  the  granite  hands  of  Palma  pride  seized  the 
ambitious  ephemeron, — cut  off  the  sprouting  wings, — and  bade 
me  paint  only  my  lips  and  cheeks,  if  dabble  in  paint  I  must.  I 
am  confident  the  soul  of  Zeuxis  sleeps  in  mine,  but  before  the 
ukase  of  the  Palmas,  a  stouter  than  Zeuxis  would  quail,  lie  low, 
— be  silent.  Hence  I  am  a  young  miss  who  has  no  talent,  ex 
cept  for  appreciating  Balzac,  caramels,  Diavolini, — vanille 
souffle, — lobster-croquettes,  and  Strauss'  waltzes  ;  though  en 
vious  people  do  say  that  I  have  a  decided  genius  for  '  mal 
apropos  historic  quotations,'  which  you  know  are  regarded  as 
unpardonable  offences  by  those  who  cannot  comprehend  them. 
Come  here  St.  John,  and  let  me  rub  your  fur  the  wrong  way. 
The  world  will  do  it  roughly,  if  you  survive  tender  kittenhood, 
and  it  is  merciful  to  initiate  you  early,  and  by  degrees." 

She  took  up  a  young  black  cat,  that  was  curled  comfortably 
on  the  skirt  of  her  dress,  and  stroking  him  softly,  resumed  her 
book. 

Mrs.  Palma  compressed  her  lips,  knitted  her  heavy  brows, 
and  turned  the  silk  sash  to  the  light,  to  observe  the  eifect  of 
the  silver  snow-drops  she  was  embroidering. 

During  her  residence  under  the  same  roof,  Regina  had  be 
come  accustomed  to  these  verbal  tournaments  between  mother 
and  daughter,  and  having  been  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  ground 
of  Olga's  grievance,  she  could  not  understand  allusions  that 
were  frequently  made  in  her  presence,  and  which  never  failed 
to  irritate  Mrs.  Palma. 

Desirous  of  diverting  the  conversation  from  a  topic  that 
threatened  renewed  tilts,  she  said  timidly : 

"  You  do  not  in  the  least  assist  me, — with  reference  to  my 
music.  Would  you  object  to  having  a  hired  piano  in  the 
house  ?  I  could  have  it  placed  in  my  room,  and  then  my 
practising  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  or  in  the  evening  would 
never  be  interfered  with,  and  you  could  have  your  morning  nap." 


244  IN  FELICE. 

"  Indeed  Miss  Orme — a  very  good  suggestion  ;  a  capital 
idea.  I  will  speak  to  Erie  about  it,  to-night." 

Regina  absolutely  colored  at  the  shadowy  compliment. 

"  Will  it  be  necessary  to  trouble  Mr.  Palma  with  the  matter  ? 
He  is  always  so  busy,  and  besides  you  know  much  better  than 
a  gentleman,  what " 

"  1  know  nothing  better  than  Erie  Palma,  where  it  concerns 
his  menage,  or  the  expenses  incident  to  its  control." 

"  But  out  of  my  allowance  I  will  pay  the  rent,  and  he  need 
know  nothing  of  the  matter." 

"  Of  course  that  quite  alters  the  case ;  and  if  you  pro 
pose  to  pay  the  rent,  there  is  no  reason  why  he  should  be  con 
sulted." 

"  Then  will  you  please  select  a  piano  and  order  it  sent  up 
to-day  or  to-morrow  ?  An  upright  could  be  most  conveniently 
carried  upstairs." 

"  Certainly  if  you  wish  it.  We  shall  be  on  Broadway  this 
afternoon,  and  I  will  attend  to  the  matter." 

"Thank  you,  Mrs.  Palma." 

"  Regina  Orme  !  what  an  embryo  diplomatist,  what  an  in 
cipient  Talleyrand,  Kaunitz, — Bismarck  you  are  !  Mamma  is 
as  invulnerable  to  all  human  weaknesses  as  one  of  the  suits  of 
armor  hanging  in  the  Tower  of  London, — and  during  my  ex 
tended  and  rather  intimate  acquaintance  with  her, — I  have 
never  discovered  but  one  foible  incident  to  the  flesh, — love  of 
ner  morning  nap  !  You  have  adroitly  struck  Achilles  in  the 
heel.  Sound  the  timbrel  and  sing  like  Miriam  over  your  vic 
tory  ; — for  it  were  better  to  propitiate  one  of  the  house  of 
Palma, — than  to  strangle  Pharaoh.  You  should  apply  for  a 
position  in  some  foreign  legation,  where  your  talents  can  be 
fitly  trained  for  the  tangles  of  diplomacy.  Now  if  you  were 
only  a  man,  how  admirably  you  would  suit  the  Hon.  Erie 
J'alma,  as  Deputy" 

"  He  prefers  to  appoint  his  deputies,  without  suggestion  from 
others, — and  regrets  he  can  find  no  vacant  niche  for  you," 
answered  Mr.  Palma,  from  the  threshold  of  the  door  wheie  he 


had  been  standing  for  several  moments,  unperceived  by  all,  but 
the  hazel  eyes  of  the  graceful  figure  on  the  lounge. 

"  Ah  !  you  steal  upon  one  as  noiselessly,  yet  as  destructive 
as  the  rats  that  crept  upon  the  bowstrings  at  Pelusium  !  And 
ihj  music  of  your  eavesdropping  voice  ; — 

'  Oh  it  came  o'er  my  ear  like  the  sweet  south 
That  breathes  upon  a  bank  of  violets.'  " 

She  rose,  made  him  a  profound  salaam,  and  with  the  black 
kitten  in  her  arms,  quitted  the  room. 

"  Will  you  come  in  Erie  ?     Do  you  wish  to  see  me  ?  " 

Mrs.  Palma  always  looked  ill  at  ease  when  Olga  and  he' 
step-brother  exchanged  words,  and  Regina  had  long  observed 
that  the  entrance  of  the  latter  was  generally  the  signal  of  de 
parture  for  the  former. 

"  I  came  in  search  of  Regina,  but  chancing  to  hear  the  piano 
question  discussed,  permit  me  to  say  that  I  prefer  to  take  the 
matter  in  my  own  hands.  I  will  provide  whatever  may  be 
deemed  requisite,  so  that  this  young  lady's  Rothschild's  allow 
ance  may  continue  to  flow  uninterruptedly  into  the  coffers  of 
confectioners,  and  flower-dealers.  Mrs.  Palma  if  you  can  spare 
the  carnage,  I  should  like  the  use  of  it  for  an  hour  or  two." 

"  Oh  certainly  !  I  had  thought  of  driving  to  Stewart's,  but 
to-morrow  will  suit  me  quite  as  well." 

"  By  no  means.  You  will  have  ample  time  after  my  return. 
Regina  I  wish  to  see  you." 

She  followed  him  into  the  hall. 

"  In  the  box  of  clothing  that  arrived  several  days  ago,  there 
is  a  white  cashmere  suit  with  blue-silk  trimmings  ?  " 

"  Yes  sir." 

"Be  so  good  as  to  put  it  on.  Then  wrap  up  well,  and  when 
ready  come  to  the  library.  Do  not  keep  me  waiting.  Bring 
your  hair-brush  and  comb." 

Her  mother  had  sent  from  Europe  a  tasteful  wardrobe,  which 
when  unpacked,  Mrs.  Palma  pronounced  perfect ;  while  Olga 


246  INF  ELI  CE. 

asserted  that  one  particular  sash  surpassed  anything  of  the  kind 
she  had  ever  seen,  and  was  prevailed  upon  to  accept  and  wear 
it. 

With  many  conjectures  concerning  the  import  of  Mr.  Palma's 
supervision  of  her  toilette,  Regina  obeyed  his  instructions,  and 
fearful  of  trespassing  on  his  patience,  hurried  down  to  the 
library. 

With  one  arm  behind  him,  and  the  hand  of  the  other  holding 
a  half-smoked  cigar,  he  was  walking  meditatively  up  and  down 
the  polished  floor,  that  reflected  his  tall  shadow. 

"  Where  do  you  suppose  you  are  going  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  idea." 

"  Why  do  you  not  inquire  ?  " 

"  Because  you  will  not  tell  me  till  you  choose  ;  and  I  know 
that  questions  always  annoy  you." 

"  Come  in.  You  linger  at  the  door,  as  if  this  were  the  den 
of  a  lion  at  a  menagerie,  instead  of  a  room  to  which  you  have 
been  cordially  invited  several  times.  I  am  not  voracious,  have 
had  my  luncheon.  You  are  quite  ready  ?  " 

"  Quite  ready" 

She  was  slowly  walking  down  the  long  room,  and  suddenly 
caught  sight  of  something  that  seemed  to  take  away  her  breath. 

The  clock  on  the  mantel  had  been  removed  to  the  desk,  and 
in  its  place  was  a  large  portrait  neither  square,  nor  yet  exactly 
kit-cat,  but  in  proportion  more  nearly  resembled  the  latter.  In 
imitation  of  Da  Vinci's  celebrated  picture  in  the  Louvre,  the 
background  represented  a  stretch  of  arid  rocky  landscape,  un 
relieved  by  foliage,  and  against  it  rose  in  pose  and  general 
outline,  the  counterpart  of  "Lajoconde" 

The  dress  and  drapery  were  of  black  velvet,  utterly  bare  of 
ornament,  and  out  of  the  canvas  looked  a  face  of  marvellous, 
yet  mysteriously  mournful  beauty.  The  countenance  of  a 
comparatively  young  woman,  whose  radiant  brown  eyes  had 
dwelt  in  some  penetrale  of  woe,  until  their  light  was  softened, 
saddened ; — whose  regular  features  were  statuesque  in  their 
solemn  repose, — and  whose  gold-tinted  hair  simply  parted  on 


INFELICE.  247 

her  white  round  brow,  fell  in  glinting  waves  down  upon  her 
polished  shoulders.  The  mystical  pale  face  of  one  who  seem 
ed  alike  incapable  of  hope  or  of  regret, — who  gazed  upon 
past,  present,  future, — as  proud,  as  passionless  and  calm  as 
Destiny ;  and  whose  perfect  hands  were  folded  in  stern  fateful 
rest. 

As  Regina  looked  up  at  it,  she  stopped, — then  ran  to  the 
hearth,  and  stood  with  her  eyes  riveted  to  the  canvas,  her  lips 
parted  and  quivering. 

Watching  her,  Mr.  Palma  came  to  her  side,  and  asked  : 

"  Whom  can  it  be  ?  " 

Evidently  she  did  not  hear  him.  Her  whole  heart  and  soul 
appeared  centred  in  the  picture,  but  as  she  gazed,  her  own  elo 
quent  face  grew  whiter, — she  drew  her  breath  quickly,  and  tears 
rolled  over  her  cheeks,  as  she  lifted  her  arms  toward  the  paint 
ing. 

"  Mother  !  my  beautiful  sad-eyed  mother  !  " 

Sobs  shook  her  frame,  and  she  pressed  toward  the  mantel 
piece  till  the  skirt  of  her  dress  swept  dangerously  close  to  the 
fire.  Mr.  Palma  drew  her  back,  and  said  quietly  : 

"For  an  uncultivated  young  rustic,  I  must  say  your  appreci 
ation  of  fine  painting  is  rather  surprising.  Few  City  girls 
would  have  paid  such  a  tearful  tribute  of  heartfelt  admiration 
to  my  pretty  '  Mona  Lisa.'  n 

Without  removing  her  fascinated  eyes,  she  asked  : 

"  When  did  it  come?" 

"  I  have  had  it  several  days.  I  presume  you  know  that  it  is 
a  copy  of  Da  Vinci's  celebrated  picture,  upon  which  he  worked 
four  years,  and  which  now  hangs  in  the  gallery  of  the  Louvre 
at  Paris  ?  " 

She  merely  shook  her  head. 

"  In  France  it  is  called  '  La  Joconde]  but  I  prefer  the  softer 
'  Mona  Lisa  '  for  my  treasure." 

"  Is  it  not  mine  ?     She  must  have  sent  it  to  me  ?  " 

"  She  ?     Are  you  dreaming  ?  Mona  Lisa  has  been  dead  three 
hundred  years  !  " 


248  INFELICE. 

"  Mr.  Palma — it  is  my  mother.  No  other  face  ever  looked 
like  that,  no  other  eyes  except  those  in  the  Mater  Dolorosa  re 
semble  these  beautiful  sad  brown  eyes, — that  rained  their  tears 
upon  my  head.  Do  you  think  a  child  ever  mistook  another, 
for  her  own  mother  ?  Can  the  face  I  first  learned  to  know  and 
to  love, — the  lovely — Oh  !  how  lovely  face  that  bent  over  my 
cradle, — ever — ever  be  forgotten  ?  If  I  never  saw  her  agam 
in  this  world,  could  I  fail  to  recognize  her  in  heaven  ?  My  own 
mother !  " 

"  Obstinate,  infatuated  little  ignoramus  !  Read  and  be  con 
vinced." 

He  opened  and  held  before  her  a  volume  of  engravings  of 
the  pictures  and  statues  in  the  Louvre,  and  turning  to  the 
Leonardo  Da  Vinci's,  moved  his  finger  slowly  beneath  the 
title. 

Her  eyes  fell  upon  "  La  Joco?ide"  then  wandered  back  to 
the  portrait  over  the  fire-place,  and  through  her  tears,  broke  a 
radiant  smile. 

"  Yes  Sir,  I  perfectly  understand.  Your  engraving  is  of  Da 
Vinci's  painting,  and  of  course  I  suppose  it  is  very  fine, — 
though  the  face  is  not  pretty ;  but  up  yonder  ! — that  is  mother  ! 
My  mother— who  kissed  and  cried  over  me, — and  hugged  me 
so  close  to  her  heart.  Oh  !  Your  Da  Vinci  never  even 
dreamed  of,  much  less  painted  anything  half  so  heavenly  as  my 
darling  mother's  face  !  " 

Closing  the  book,  Mr.  Palma  threw  it  on  the  table,  and  as  he 
glanced  from  the  lovely  countenance  of  the  girl,  to  that  of  the 
woman  on  the  wall,  something  like  a  sigh  heaved  his  broad 
chest. 

Did  the  wan  meek  shadow  of  his  own  patient  much-suffering 
young  mother,  lift  her  melancholy  image  in  the  long  silent  ady 
tum  of  his  proud  heart, — over  whose  chill  chambers  ambition 
and  selfishness  had' passed  with  ossifying  touch? 

Years  ago,  at  the  initial  steps  of  his  professional  career,  he 
had  set  before  him  one  glittering  goal, — the  Chief- Justiceship, 
In  preparing  for  the  long  race  that  stretched  ahead  of  him, — 


INFELICE.  2  \  rj 

seeing  only  the  Judicial  crown  that  sparkled  afar  off, — he  had 
laid  aside  his  tender  sensibilities,  his  wannest  impulses  of  affec 
tion  and  generosity  as  so  many  subtle  fetters,  so  much  unprofit 
able  luggage,  so  much  useless  weight  to  retard  and  burden 
him. 

While  his  physical  and  mental  development  had  brilliantly 
attested  the  efficacy  of  the  stern  regimen  he  systematically  im 
posed, — his  emotional  nature  long  discarded,  had  grown  so 
feeble  and  inane  from  desuetude,  that  its  very  existence  had 
become  problematical.  But  to-day  deeply  impressed  by  the  in 
tensity  of  love  which  Regina  could  not  restrain  at  the  sight  of 
the  portrait, — strange  softening  memories  began  to  stir  in  their 
frozen  sleep,  and  to  hint  of  earlier  warmer,  boyish  times, — even 
as  magnolia,  mahogany  and  cocoa  trunks  stranded  along  icy 
European  shores, — babble  of  the  far  sweet  sunny  south,  and 
the  torrid  seas  whose  restless  blue  pulses  drove  them  to  hyper 
borean  realms. 

"  Is  it  indeed  so  striking  and  unmistakable  a  likeness  ?  After 
all,  the  instincts  of  nature  are  stronger  than  the  canons  of  art. 
Your  mother  is  an  exceedingly  beautiful  woman  ;  but  little  girl 
let  me  tell  you,  that  you  are  not  in  the  least  like  her." 

"  I  know  that  sad  fact,  and  it  often  grieves  me." 

"  You  must  certainly  resemble  your  father,  for  I  never  saw 
mother  and  child,  so  entirely  dissimilar." 

He  saw  the  glow  of  embarrassment,  of  acute  pain  tingling  her 
throat  and  cheeks,  and  wondered  how  much  of  the  past  had 
been  committed  to  her  keeping ;  how  far  she  shared  her  mother's 
confidence.  During  the  year  that  she  had  been  an  inmate  of 
his  house,  she  had  never  referred  to  the  mystery  of  her  parent 
age,  and  despite  his  occasional  efforts  to  become  better  ac 
quainted,  had  shrunk  from  his  presence,  and  remained  the  same 
shy  reserved  stranger,  she  appeared  the  week  of  her  arrival. 

"  Is  not  the  portrait  for  me  ?  Mother  wrote  that  she  intended 
sending  me  something  which  she  hoped  I  would  value  more 
than  all  the  pretty  clothes, — and  it  must  be  this, — her  own 
beautiful  precious  face." 


2  50  INF  ELI  CE. 

"Yes,  it  is  yours, — but  I  presume  you  will  be  satisfied  to 
allow  it  to  hang  where  it  is.  The  light  is  singularly  good." 

"  No  Sir,  I  want  it." 

"Well  you  have  it,  where  you  can  see  it  at  any  time."' 

"  But  I  wish  to  keep  it, — all  to  myself, — in  iny  room, — where 
it  will  be  the  last  thing  I  see  at  night, — the  first  in  the  morning  ; 
— my  sunrise." 

"  How  unpardonably  selfish  you  are.  Would  you  deprive 
me  of  the  pleasure  of  admiring  a  fine  work  of  art, -merely  to 
shut  it  in, — converting  yourself  into  a  pagan,  and  the  portrait 
into  an  idol  ?  " 

"  But  Mr.  Palma,  you  never  loved  any  one  or  anything  so 
very  dearly,  that  it  seemed  holy  in  your  eyes ; — much  too  sa 
cred  for  others  to  look  at." 

"  Certainly  not.  I  am  pleased  to  say  that  is  a  mild  stage  of 
lunacy,  with  which,  I  have  as  yet,  never  been  threatened. 
Idolatry  is  a  phase  of  human  weakness,  I  have  been  unable  to 
tolerate." 

He  saw  a  faint  smile  lurking  about  the  perfect  curves  of  her 
rosy  mouth,  but  her  eyes  remained  fixed  on  the  picture. 

"  I  should  be  glad  to  know  what  you  find  so  amusing  in  my 
remark." 

She  shook  her  head,  but  the  obstinate  dimples  reappeared. 

"  What  are  you  smiling  at  ?  " 

"  At  the  assertion  that  you  cannot  tolerate  idolatry." 

"  Well  ?  ,  Of  all  the  men  in  New  York,  probably  I  am  the 
most  thoroughly  an  iconoclast." 

"Yes  Sir, — of  other  people's  gods;  nevertheless  I  think  you 
worship  ardently." 

"Indeed?  Have  you  recently  joined  the  'Microscopical 
Society  ? '  I  solicit  the  benefit  of  your  discoveries,  and  shall  be 
duly  grateful,  if  you  will  graciously  point  out  the  unknown  fane, 
wherein  I  secretly  worship.  Is  it  Beauty?  Genius?  Riches?  " 

"  It  is  not  done  in  secret.  All  the  world  knows  that  Mr. 
Palma  imitates  the  example  of  Marcus  Marcellus,  and  dedicates 
his  life  to  two  divinities." 


INF E  LICE.  251 

Standing  on  either  side  of  the  grate,  and  each  pressing  a 
hand  upon  the  slab  of  the  mantle,  the  lawyer  looked  curiously 
down  at  the  bright  young  face. 

"You  are  quite  fresh  in  foraging  from  historic  fields, — and 
since  I  quitted  the  classic  shade  of  Alma  Mater  I  have  had 
little  leisure  for  Roman  lore  ; — but  college  memories  suggest 
that  it  was  to  Honor  and  Valor,  that  Marcellus  erected  the 
splendid  double  temple  at  the  Capene  Gate.  I  bow  to  your 
parallel,  and,  gratefully  appreciate  your  ingeniously  delicate 
compliment." 

He  laughed  sarcastically  as  he  interpreted  the  protest  very 
legible  in  her  clear  honest  eyes,  and  waited  a  moment  for  her 
to  disclaim  the  flattery.  But  she  was  silently  smiling  up  at  her 
mother's  face. 

"  Does  my  very  observant  ward  approve  of  my  homage  to 
the  Roman  deities  ?  " 

"Are  your  favorite  divinities,  those  before  whom,  Marcellus 
bent  his  knee  ?  " 

Very  steadily  her  large  eyes  blue  as  the  border  of  a  clematis, 
were  turned  to  meet  his,  and  involuntarily  he  took  his  under 
lip  between  his  glittering  teeth. 

"My  testimony  would  not  be  admissible  before  the  bar,  at 
which  I  have  been  arraigned.  Since  you  have  explored  the 
Holy  of  Holies,  be  so  kind  as  to  describe  what  you  find." 

"  You  might  consider  me  presumptuous,  possibly  impertinent." 

"  At  least  I  may  safely  promise  not  to  express  any  such 
opinion.  What  is  there,  think  you,  that  Erie  Palma  worships  ?" 

"  A  statue  of  Ambition  that  stands  in  the  vestibule  of  the 
temple  of  Fame." 

"  Olga  told  you  that." 

"Oh  no  Sir  !     Have  not  I  lived  here  a  year?  " 

His  eyes  sparkled,  and  a  proud  smile  curled  his  lips. 

"  Do  I  offer  sacrifices  ?  " 

"I  think  you  would,  if  they  were  required." 

"  Suppose  my  stone  god  demanded  my  heart  ?" 

"  Ah  Sir?  you  know  you  gave  it  to  him  long  ago." 


252 


TNFELICE. 


He  laughed  quite  genially,  and  his  whole  face  softened, 
warmed. 

"  At  least  let  us  hope  my  ambition  is  not  sordid  ;  is  unstained 
with  the  dross  of  avarice.  It  is  a  stern  god,  and  I  shall  not 
deny — that  *  Ephraim  is  joined  to  his  idols  !  Let  him  alone.'  " 

A  short  silence  followed,  during  which  his  thoughts  wandered 
far  from  the  precincts  of  that  quiet  room. 

"  Mr.  Palma  will  you  please  give  me  my  picture  ?" 

"  It  is  yours  of  course,  but  conditionally.  It  must  remain 
where  it  now  hangs  ;  first  because  I  wish  it ; — secondly  because 
your  mother  prefers  (for  good  reasons,)  that  it  should  not  be 
known  just  yet,  as  her  portrait, — and  if  it  should  be  removed  to 
your  bed-chamber,  the  members  of  the  household  would  proba 
bly  gossip.  Remaining  here,  it  will  be  called  an  imitation  of 
"Mona  Lisa  del  Giocondo,"  and  none  will  ever  suspect  the 
truth.  Pray  don't  straiten  your  lips  in  that  grievously  defiant 
fashion,  as  Perpetua  doubtless  did,  when  she  heard  the  bellowing 
of  beasts,  or  the  clash  of  steel  in  the  Amphitheatre.  Make  this 
room  your  favorite  retreat.  Now  that  it  contains  your  painted 
Penates,  convert  it  into  an  atrium.  Come  when  you  may,  you 
will  never  disturb  me,  In  a  long  letter  received  this  week, 
your  mother  directs  that  your  portrait  shall  be  painted  in  a 
certain  position,  and  wishes  you  to  wear  the  suit  you  have  on. 
The  carriage  is  ready,  and  I  will  take  you  at  once  to  the  artist. 
Put  on  your  hat." 

During  the  drive  he  was  abstracted,  now  and  then  consult 
ing  a  paper  of  memoranda,  carried  in  the  inside  breast-pocket 
of  his  coat. 

Once  introduced  into  the  elegant  studio  of  Mr.  Harcourt  in 
Tenth  Street,  Regina  found  much  to  interest  and  charm  her, 
while  her  guardian  arranged  the  preliminaries  and  settled  the 
details  of  the  picture.  Then  he  removed  the  hat  and  cloak, 
and  placed  her  in  the  comfortable  seat  already  prepared. 

The  artist  went  into  an  adjoining  room,  and  a  moment  after, 
Hero  bounded  in,  expressing  by  a  succession  of  barks  his  almost 
frantic  delight  at  the  reunion  with  his  mistress.  Since  her  ie« 


INF  EL  rC  E. 


253 


moval  to  New  York,  she  saw  him  so  rarely,  that  the  pleasure 
was  mingled  with  pain,  and  now  with  her  arms  around  his  neck, 
and  her  face  hidden  in  his  thick  white  hair,  she  cried  softly, — 
unable  to  keep  back  the  tears. 

"  Come  Regina,  sit  up.  Make  Hero  lie  on  that  pile  of 
cushions,  which  will  enable  you  to  rest  one  hand  easily  on  his 
head.  Crying  !  Mr.  Harcourt  paints  no  such  weeping  demoi 
selles.  Dry  your  eyes,  and  take  down  your  hair.  Your  mother 
wishes  it  flowing,  as  when  she  saw  you  last." 

While  she  unbraided  the  thick  coil,  and  shook  out  the  shin 
ing  folds,  trying  to  adjust  them  smoothly,  the  lawyer  stood  pa 
tiently  beside  her  ;  and  once  his  soft  white  hand  rested  on  hei 
forehead,  as  he  stroked  back  a  rippling  tress  that  encroached 
upon  her  temple. 

The  dress  of  pearly  cashmere  was  cut  in  the  style  usually 
denominated  "  infant  waist,"  and  fully  exposed  the  dazzling 
whiteness  and  dimpling  roundness  of  the  neck  and  shoulders  ; 
while  the  short  puffed  sleeves  showed  admirably  the  fine  model 
ling  of  the  arms. 

Walking  away  to  the  easel,  Mr.  Palm  a  looked  back,  and 
critically  contemplated  the  effect ;  and  he  acknowledged  it  was 
the  fairest  picture  his  fastidious  eyes  had  ever  rested  on. 

He  put  one  hand  inside  hie  vest,  and  stood  regarding  the 
girl,  with  mingled  feelings  of  pride  in  "  Erie  Palma's  ward," — 
and  an  increasing  interest  in  the  reticent  calm-eyed  child, 
which  had  first  dawned  when  he  watched  her  asleep  in  the  rail 
road  car.  It  was  no  easy  matter  to  stir  his  leaden  sympathies, 
save  in  some  selfish  ramification, — but  once  warmed  and  set  in 
motion  they  proved  a  current  difficult  to  stem. 

In  a  low  voice  the  artist  said,  as  he  selected  some  brushe? 
from  a  neighboring  stand  : 

<c  How  old  is  she  ?  Her  features  have  a  singularly  infantile 
delicacy  and  softness,  but  the  eyes  and  lips  seem  to  belong  to 
a  much  older  person." 

"  Regina  have  you  not  entered  upon  your  sixteenth  year?  " 

"  Yes  Sir." 


254  INF E  LICE. 

"  I  believe  Mr.  Palma,  it  is  the  loveliest  living  face  I  ever 
saw.  It  is  so  peculiar,  so  intensely — what  shall  I  say, — 
prophet-eyed  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  believe  that  is  the  right  word.  When  she  looks 
steadily  at  me,  she  often  reminds  me  of  a  Sibyl." 

"  But  is  this  her  usual,  every-day  expression  ?  " 

"  Rather  sadder  than  customary,  I  think." 

He  went  back  to  the  group,  and  standing  in  front  of  his  ward, 
looked  gravely  down  in  her  upturned  face. 

"  Could  you  contrive  to  appear  a  little  less  solemn  ?  " 

She  forced  a  smile,  but  he  made  an  impatient  gesture. 

"  Oh — Don't  !  Anything  would  be  better  than  that  dire 
conflict  between  the  expression  of  your  mouth,  and  that  of 
your  eyes.  Have  you  any  hermetically-sealed  pleasant 
thoughts  hidden  behind  that  smooth  brow,  that  you  could  be 
prevailed  upon  to  call  up  for  a  few  moments, — just  long  enough 
to  cast  a  glimmer  of  sunshine  over  your  face  ?  I  think  you 
once  indignantly  denied  ever  indulging  in  the  folly  of  possess 
ing  a  sweetheart,  but  perhaps  you  have  really  entertained  more 
affaires  de  cceur  than  you  choose  to  confide  to  such  a  grim, 
iron  guardian  as  yours  ?  Possibly  you  may  cherish  cheerful 
memories  of  the  kind-hearted  young  missionary, — whose 
chances  of  hastening  to  heaven,  per  Sepoy  passport,  via  Delhi 
route, — seem  at  times  to  distress  you  ?  Does  he  ever  write 
you  ?  " 

11  His  mother  has  written  to  me  twice  since  she  reached 
India,  and  once  enclosed  a  note  from  him ;  but  although 
she  said  he  had  written,  and  I  hoped  for  a  letter,  none  has 
come." 

He  noted  the  quick  flutter  of  her  lip,  and  the  shadow  that 
crept  into  her  eyes. 

"  Then  he  went  away  with  the  expectation  that  you  would 
correspond  with  him  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir." 

"  He  is  quite  a  bold,  audacious  young  fellow,  and  you  are  a 
very  disrespectful,  imprudent,  disobedient  young  ward,  to  enter 


IN  FELICE.  255 

into  such  an  arrangement  without  my  consent  and  permission. 
Suppose  I  forbid  all  communication  ?  " 

"  I  think  Sir,  you  would  scarcely  be  so  unreasonable  and  un 
just,  and  if  you  were,  I  should  not  obey  you.  I  would  appeal 
to  my  mother.  Mr.  Hargrove,  dear  good  Mr.  Hargrove,  was 
my  guardian  when  Mr.  Lindsay  went  away,  and  he  did  not  ob 
ject  to  the  promise  I  made,  concerning  a  correspondence." 

The  starry  sparkle  which  during  the  last  twelve  months,  he 
had  learned  meant  the  signal  of  mutiny,  flashed  up  in  her  eyes. 

"Take  care  !  when  iron  gloves  are  recklessly  thrown  down, 
serious  mischief  sometimes  ensues.  My  laws  are  rarely  Draco 
nian,  until  reason  has  been  exhausted  ;  but  nature  endowed  me 
with  a  miserly  share  of  patience,  and  I  do  not  think  it  entirely 
politic  in  you  to  challenge  me.  Here  is  a  document  that  has 
an  intensely  Hindustanee  appearance,  and  is  as  you  see,  at  my 
mercy.  Where  it  has  been  since  it  left  Calcutta  last  June,  I 
know  not.  That  Padre  Sahib  penned  it,  I  indulge  no  doubt. 
Pray  sit  still.  So  the  sunshine  has  come  to  your  countenance 
at  last, — and  all  the  way  from  India  !  Verily,  happiness  is  the 
best  cosmetic,  and  hope  the  brightest  illuminator ; — even  more 
successful  than  Bengal  lights." 

He  held  up  a  letter  post-marked  Calcutta,  and  coldly  watched 
the  glow  that  overspread  her  face,  as  her  gaze  eagerly  followed 
the  motion  of  his  hand. 

"  I  have  not  touched  the  seal,  but  as  your  guardian,  it  is 
proper  that  I  should  be  made  acquainted  with  the  contents. 
When  you  have  devoured  it,  I  presume  you  will  yield  to  the 
promptings  of  respect  due  to  my  position  and  wishes.  When 
I  assume  guardianship  of  any  person  or  thing,  I  invariably  exert 
all  the  authority,  exact  all  the  obedience, — and  claim  all  the 
privileges  and  perquisites  to  which  the  responsibility  entitles  me." 

He  placed  the  letter  on  the  cushion,  where  Hero  nestled, 
and  turning  to  the  artist,  added : 

"I  leave  Miss  Orme  in  your  care,  Mr.  Harcourt,  and  shall 
send  Mr.  Roscoe  to  remain  during  the  sitting,  and  take  her 
home.  Paint  her  just  as  she  is  now.  Good-morning." 


256  INF  ELI  CE. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

|HROUGH  the  creamy  lace  curtains  that  draped  th< 
open  windows,  the  afternoon  sun  shone  into  the 
library,,  making  warm  lanes  of  yellow  light  across  the 
rich  mosaic  of  many  colored  woods  that  formed  the  polished 
floor.  Upon  one  of  the  round  tables  was  a  silver  salver,  where 
on  stood  a  wine-cooler  of  the  same  material,  representing 
Bacchus  crushing  ripe  clusters  into  the  receptacles,  that  now 
contained  a  bottle  of  Riidesheim,  and  a  crystal  claret  jug.  Ii 
tempting  proximity  rose  a  Sevres  epergne  of  green  and  gold, 
whose  weight  was  upborne  by  a  lovely  figure,  evidently  mod 
elled  in  imitation  of  Titian's  Lavinia  ;  and  the  crowning  basket 
was  heaped  with  purple  and  amber  grapes,  crimson- cheeked 
luscious  peaches,  and  golden  pears  sun-flushed  into  carmine 
flecks. 

Two  tall  glittering  Venice  glasses  stood  upon  the  salver, 
casting  prismatic  radiance  over  the  silver,  as  the  sunbeams 
smote  their  slender  fluted  sides, — and  a  pair  of  ruby  tinted 
finger-bowls  completed  the  color  chord. 

On  one  side  of  the  table  sat  Mr.  Palina,  who  had  returned 
an  hour  before  from  Washington,  and  was  resting  comfortably 
in  his  favorite  chair,  with  his  head  thrown  back,  and  a  cigar 
between  his  lips.  His  eyes  were  turned  to  the  mantle-piece, — 
where  since  the  day  the  portrait  was  first  suspended,' — ten 
months  ago,  Regina  had  never  failed  to  keep  a  fresh  dainty 
bouquet  of  fragrant  flowers.  This  afternoon,  the  little  vase 
held  only  apple-geranium  leaves,  and  a  pyramidal  cluster  of 
tuberoses  ;  and  her  guardian  had  observed  that  when  white 
blossoms  could  be  bought,  colored  ones  were  never  offered  in 
tribute. 

Opposite  the  lawyer  was  his  cousin  and  protege,  occupied  in 
peeling  a  juicy  peach,  with  one  of  the  massive  silver  fruit- 
knives. 

"  I  have  never  doubted  the  success  of  the  case ;  it  was  a 


INF  EL  ICE.  2  SI 

foregone  conclusion  when  you  assumed  charge  of  it.  Certainly 
considering  the  strength  of  the  defence,  it  is  a  brilliant  triumph 
for  you,  and  compensates  for  the  toil  you  have  spent  upon  it 
J  have  never  seen  you  labor  more  indefatigably." 

"Yes  for  forty-eight  hours  I  did  not  close  my  eyes,  and  of 
course  the  result  gratifies  me,  for  the  counsel  for  the  defence 
was  the  most  stubbornly  contestant  I  have  dealt  with  for  a  long 
time.  The  Government  influence  was  immense.  Where  have 
Mrs.  Palma  and  Olga  gone  ?  " 

"  To  Manhattanville,  I  believe." 

"  How  long  since  Regina  left  the  house  ?  " 

"  Only  a  few  moments  before  you  arrived.  It  seems  to  me 
singularly  imprudent  to  allow  her  to  wander  about  the  City,  as 
she  does." 

"  Explain  yourself." 

"  I  offered  to  accompany  her  as  escort,  but  she  rather  curtly 
declined  my  attendance." 

"  And  in  your  estimation,  that  constitutes  '  imprudence  '  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  consider  it  imprudent  for  any  young  girl  to  stroll 
around  alone  in  New  York,  on  Sunday  afternoon  ; — especially 
one  so  very  attractive,  so  conspicuously  beautiful  as  Regina." 

"  During  my  absence  has  any  one  been  kidnapped  or  gar- 
roted  in  broad  daylight  ?  " 

"  1  do  not  study  the  police  records." 

"  Do  you  imagine  that  she  perambulates  about  the  sacred 
precincts  of  *  Five  Points,'  or  the  purlieus  of  Chatham 
Street?" 

"  I  imagine  nothing  Sir  ;  but  I  know  that  she  frequents  a 
distant  portion  of  this  City,  where  I  should  think  young  ladies 
of  her  social  status — would  find  no  attraction." 

"  You  have  followed  her  then  ?  "  Mr.  Palma  raised  himself, 
and  struck  the  ashes  from  his  cigar. 

"  I  have  not,  but  others  certainlv  have,  and  commented  upon 
the  fact." 

"Will  you  oblige  me  with  the  remarks,  and  the  name  of  the 
author?" 


258  INF  ELI  CE. 

"  No — Cousin  Erie,. — certainly  not  the  last.  But  I  will  tell 
you  that  a  couple  of  young  gentlemen  met  her  on  Eighth  Ave 
nue,  and  were  so  impressed  by  her  face  that  they  turned  and 
followed  her;  saw  her  finally  enter  one  of  a  row  of  poor  tene 
ment  buildings  in Street.  Soon  after  she  came  out  and 

retraced  her  steps.  They  watched  her  till  she  entered  your 
house,  and  next  day  one  of  them  asked  me  if  she  were  a  sew 
ing  girl.  No  ward  of  mine,  should  have  such  latitude/'' 

"  Not  Elliott  Roscoe — but  I  happen  to  be  her  guardian 
She  visits  by  my  permission,  the  house  you  so  vaguely  desig 
nate,  and  the  first  time  she  entered  it,  I  accompanied  her  and 
pointed  out  the  location,  and  the  line  of  street  cars  that  would 
carry  her  almost  to  the  square.  At  present  the  house  is  occu 
pied  by  Mrs.  Mason,  the  widow  of  a  minister  who  was  related 
to  Mr.  Hargrove,  Regina's  former  guardian  ;  and  the  refer 
ences  furnished  me  by  the  lady,  give  satisfactory  assurance  that 
the  acquaintance  is  unobjectionable, — although  the  widow  is 
evidently  in  very  reduced  circumstances.  I  consented  some 
weeks  ago,  that  my  ward  should  occasionally  spend  Sunda) 
afternoon  with  her." 

"  I  presume  you  are  the  best  judge  of  the  grave  responsibil 
ity  of  your  position,"  replied  the  young  gentleman,  stiffly. 

"  Certainly  I  think  so  Sir  ;  and  as  you  may  possibly  hove 
observed,  I  am  not  particularly  grateful  for  volunteer  sugges 
tions  relative  to  my  duty.  Has  it  ever  occurred  to  you,  that 
the  green  goggles  you  wear  at  present,  may  accidentally  lend 
an  unhealthy  tinge  to  your  vision  ?  " 

A  wave  of  vivid  scarlet  flowed  to  the  edge  of  Mr.  Roscoe' s 
fair  harvest-hued  hair,  as  he  answered  angrily  : 

"  You  are  the  only  person  who  could  with  impunity  make 
such  an  insinuation." 

"  In  insinuations  I  never  indulge,  and  impunity  I  neither  ar 
rogate,  nor  permit  in  others.  Keep  cool  Elliott,  or  else  change 
your  profession.  A  man  who  cannot  hold  his  temper  in  leash, 
and  who  flies  emotional  signals  from  every  feature  in  his  face, 
has  slender  chance  of  success  in  an  avocation,  which  demands 


INF  ELI  CE.  259 

that  body  and  soul,  heart  and  mind — abjure  even  secret  signal 
service, — and  deal  only  in  cipher.  The  youthful  naivete  with 
which  you  permit  your  countenance  to  reflect  your  sentiments, — 
renders  it  quite  easy  for  me  to  comprehend  the  nature  of  your 
feeling  for  my  ward.  For  some  weeks  your  interest  has  been 
very  apparent,  and  while  I  am  laying  no  embargo  on  your  affec 
tions,  I  insist  that  jealousy  must  not  jaundice  your  estimate  of 
my  duties,  or  of  Regina's  conduct.  Moreover  Elliott,  I  sug 
gest  that  you  thoroughly  reconnoitre  the  ground  before  be 
ginning  this  campaign,  for  my  dear  fello\v  I  tell  you  frankly  I 
believe  Cupid  has  already  declared  himself  sworn  ally  of  a  cer 
tain  young  minister,  who  entered,  and  enjoys  pre-emption  right 
over  what  amount  of  heart,  may  have  thus  far  been  developed 
in  the  girl.  In  addition  she  is  too  young,  not  yet  sixteen,  and 
I  rigidly  interdict  all  love  passages  ;  besides  her  parentage  is 
to  some  extent  a  secret, — she  has  no  fortune  but  her  face,  and 
you  are  poor  in  all  save  hope  and  social  standing.  Verbum 
etc.,  etc." 

Walking  to  the  window,  where  he  stood  with  his  countenance 
averted,  Mr.  Roscoe  said  hesitatingly  : 

"  I  would  rather  my  weakness  had  been  discovered  by  the 
whole  world,  than  that  you  should  know  it ; — you  who  never 
having  indulged  such  emotions,  regard  them  as  the  height  of 
folly.  I  am  aware  that  at  this  moment  you  think  me  an  idiot." 

"  Not  necessarily.  A  known  weakness  thoroughly  conquered, 
sometimes  becomes  an  element  of  additional  strength  in  human 
character.  As  the  exercise  of  muscle  builds  up  physical  vigor, 
so  the  persistent  exertion  of  will,  develops  mental  and  moral 
power.  Men  who  have  a  paramount  aim  in  life,  should  never 
hesitate  in  strangling  all  irrelevant  and  inferior  appellants  for 
sympathy.  A  comparatively  briefless  attorney  should  trample 
out  as  he  would  an  invading  worm,  the  temptation  to  dream 
rose-colored  visions,  wherein  bows,  arrows  and  bleeding  hearts 
are  thick  and  plentiful  as  gooseberries.  Love  in  a  cottage  with 
honeysuckle  on  the  porch,  and  no  provisions  in  the  larder, 
belongs  to  the  age  of  fables, — is  as  dead  as  feudal  tenure." 


260  INF  E LICE. 

"  That  you  are  quite  incapable  of  such  impolitic  weakness, 
I  am  well  aware  ;  for  under  the  heel  of  your  iron  will,  your 
heart  would  not  even  struggle.  But  unfortunately  I  am  an 
impulsive,  foolish,  human  Roscoe, — not  a  systematically  organ 
ized,  well-regulated  and  unerring  Palma." 

His  cousin  bowed  complacently. 

"  Be  kind  enough  to  hand  me  the  cigars.  This  is  defective  ; 
will  not  smoke." 

He  leisurely  lighted  one,  and  resumed  : 

"  While  on  the  cars  to-day,  I  read  an  article  which  contained 
a  passage  to  this  effect,  and  I  offer  it  for  your  future  reflection: 
*  That  man  I  think,  has  had  a  liberal  education,  who  has  been 
so  trained  in  his  youth,  that  his  body  is  the  ready  servant  of 
his  will,  and  does  with  ease  and  pleasure  all  the  work  that  as  a 
mechanism,  it  is  capable  of ;  whose  intellect  is  a  clear,  cold, 
logic  engine,  with  all  its  parts  of  equal  strength,  and  in  smooth 
working  order;  ready  like  a  steam  engine  to  be  turned  to  any 
kind  of  work.'  Elliott,  young  gentlemen  should  put  their 
hearts  in  their  pockets,  until  they  fully  decide  before  what  shrine 
it  would  be  most  remunerative  to  offer  them.  The  last  time 
we  dined  at  Judge  Van  Zandt's,  certainly  not  more  than  three 
months  ago, — you  were  all  devotion  to  his  second  daughter, — • 
Clara  of  the  ruby  lips,  and  cedre  hair." 

"  Clara  Van  Zandt — no  thank  you  !  I  would  not  give 
Regina's  pure  face  and  sweet  violet  eyes  for  all  the  other  femi 
nine  flesh  in  New  York  !  " 

Had  his  attention  been  fixed  just  then  upon  Mr.  Palma,  he 
might  have  detected  the  sudden  flash  in  his  black  eyes,  and  the 
nervous  clenching  of  his  right  hand  that  rested  on  the  arm  of 
the  chair ;  but  the  younger  man  was  absorbed  by  his  own 
emotions,  and  very  soon  his  cousin  rose. 

"  In  future  we  will  not  discuss  this  folly.  At  present,  please 
recollect  that  my  ward's  face  has  not  yet  been  offered  in  the 
matrimonial  market ;  consequently  your  bid  is  premature. 
Those  papers  I  spoke  of  must  be  prepared  as  early  as  possible 
in  the  morning,  and  submitted  to  me  for  revision.  Be  careful 


INF  ELK  E.  261 

m  copying  the  record.     Have  a  cigar  ?     I  shall  not  be  back 
before  dark." 

The  happiest  hours  Regina  had  known  during  her  residence 
in  New  York,  had  been  spent  in  the  room  where  she  now  sat ; 
a  basement  room  with  low  ceiling,  and  faded  olive-tinted 
walls.  The  furniture  was  limited  to  an  old-fashioned  square 
table  of  mahogany,  rich  with  that  color  which  comes  only  from 
the  mellowing  touch  of  age,  and  polished  until  it  reflected  the 
goblet  of  white  and  crimson  phlox,  which  Regina  had  placed  in 
the  centre  ; — a  few  chairs,  some  swinging  shelves  filled  with 
books, — and  a  couch  or  lounge  covered  with  pink  and  white 
chintz,  whereon  lay  a  pillow  with  a  freshly  ironed  linen  case, 
whose  ruffled  edges  were  crisply  fluted. 

Upon  the  whitewashed  hearth  were  several  earthen  pots,  filled 
with  odorous  geraniums ;  and  over  the  two  windows  that 
opened  on  a  narrow  border  of  ground  between  the  house  wall 
and  the  street,  were  carefully  trained  a  solanum  jasminoides 
white  with  waxen  stars,  and  an  abutilon  whose  orange  bells 
striped  and  veined  with  scarlet,  swung  in  every  breath  of  air 
that  fluttered  the  spotless  white  cotton  curtains,  so  daintily 
trimmed  with  a  calico  border  of  rose-colored  convolvulus.  In 
the  morning  when  the  sun  shone  hot  upon  the  front  of  the 
building,  this  room  was  very  bright  and  cheerful,  but  its  after 
noon  aspect  was  dim,  cool,  shadowy.  A  gentle  breeze  now 
floated  across  a  bunch  of  claret  hued  carnations  growing  in  a 
wooden  box  on  the  window-sill,  which  was  on  a  level  with  the 
ground  outside,  and  brought  on  its  waves  that  subtle  spiciness 
that  dwells  only  in  the  deep  heart  of  pinks. 

In  an  old-fashioned  mapiewood  rocking-chair,  sat  Mrs. 
Mason,  with  her  wasted  and  almost  transparent  hands  resting 
on  her  open  Bible.  The  faded  face  which  in  early  years  had 
boasted  of  unusual  comeliness,  bore  traces  of  severe  sorrows 
meekly  borne ;  and  the  patient  sweetness  that  sat  on  the  lip, 
and  smiled  serenely  in  the  mild  gray  eyes,  invested  it  with  that 
irresistible  charm,  that  occasionally  renders  ripe  old  age  more 
attractive  than  Hushing  dimpled  youth.  Her  hair  originally 


262  INF  ELI  CE. 

pale  brown,  was  as  snow-white  as  the  tarlatan  cap  that  now 
framed  it  in  a  crimped  border  ;  and  her  lustreless  black  dress 
was  relieved  at  the  neck  and  wrists  by  ruffles  of  the  same 
material. 

On  the  Bible  lay  her  spectacles,  and  upon  the  third  finger  of 
fhe  left  hand  was  a  gold  ring,  worn  so  thin  that  it  was  a  mere 
glittering  thread. 

Near  her  sat  Regina,  playing  with  a  large  white  and  yellow 
cat  that  how  and  then  sprang  to  catch  a  spray  of  lemon-scented 
geranium,  which  was  swung  teasingly  just  beyond  the  reach  of 
her  velvet  paws. 

"  I  am  glad  my  dear,  to  hear  you  speak  so  kindly  of  the 
members  of  your  guardian's  family.  I  have  never  yet  seen  that 
person  who  had  not  some  redeeming  trait.  Many  years  ago, 
I  knew  Louise  Neville  very  well.  She  was  then  the  handsome 
happy  bride  of  a  young  naval  officer,  who  was  soon  after 
drowned  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay  ; — before  the  birth  of  their  only 
child — Olga.  At  first  Louise  seemed  heart-broken  by  the  loss 
of  her  husband,  but  not  more  than  two  years  afterward,  she 
married  Mr.  Godwin  Palma,  who  was  reputed  very  wealthy.  I 
have  not  seen  her  since  Olga  was  a  child,  but  have  heard  that 
her  second  husband  was  an  exceedingly  stern,  exacting  man  ; 
treating  her  with  far  less  tenderness  than  she  received  from  poor 
Leo  Neville,  who  was  certainly  very  fond  of  her.  Mr.  Godwin 
Palma  died  suddenly  one  day,  while  riding  down  in  his  carriage 
to  his  office  on  Wall  Street,  but  he  had  made  a  will  only  a  few 
weeks  previous,  in  which  he  bequeathed  all  his  fortune  except  a 
small  annuity  to  Louise, — to  his  son  Erie,  whose  own  mother  had 
possessed  a  handsome  estate.  Louise  contested  the  will,  but 
the  court  sustained  it ;  and  I  have  heard  that  Mr.  Erie  Palma 
has  always  treated  her  with  marked  kindness  and  respect,  and 
that  he  provides  liberally  for  her  and  Olga.  Louise  is  a  proud 
ambitious  woman,  fond  of  pomp  and  splendor  ; — but  in  those 
tastes  she  was  educated,  and  I  always  liked  her,  valued  her 
kindness  of  heart,  and  strict  integrity  of  purpose." 

"  You  do  not  know  my  guardian  ?  " 


INFELICE.  263 

"  I  never  met  him  till  the  day  he  brought  you  first  to  see  me, 
and  I  was  surprised  to  find  him  so  comparatively  young  a  man, 
for  he  is  rapidly  building  up  a  very  enviable  reputation  in  his 
profession.  He  has  been  quite  generous  in  his  treatment  of 
some  relatives,  who  were  at  one  time  much  reduced.  His 
father's  sister  Julia  Palm  a  married  a  dissipated  young  physician 
named  Roscoe,  and  your  guardian  has  almost  entirely  educated 
one  of  the  boys  ; — sent  him  to  college,  and  then  took  him  into 
his  law-office,  besides  assisting  in  the  maintenance  of  Mrs.  Ros 
coe,  who  died  about  three  years  ago.  Regina  I  had  a  letter 
from  Elise  Lindsay,  since  you  were  here.  She  sends  kindest 
messages  of  love  to  you,  and  says  you  must  not  allow  new 
friends  to  supplant  old  ones.  She  mentioned  also,  that  the  cli 
mate  of  India  did  not  seem  very  desirable  for  Douglass,  who 
has  been  quite  sick  more  than  once,  since  his  settlement  in  Ro- 
hilcund.  I  am  glad  that  Elise  has  gone  to  Douglass,  for  his 
father  died  of  consumption,  and  I  always  feared  he  might  have 
inherited  the  tendency,  though  his  constitution  seems  tolerably 
good.  After  Peyton's  death,  she  had  nothing  to  keep  her  from 
her  noble  boy.  God  grant  that  India  may  never  prove  as  fatal 
to  all  her  earthly  hopes,  as  it  has  been  to  mine." 

A  spasm  of  pain,  made  her  gentle  patient  face  quiver,  and 
Regina  remembered  that  Mrs.  Mason's  only  daughter  had  mar 
ried  a  gentleman  connected  with  the  English  Board  of  Missions, 
— and  with  her  husband  and  babe  perished  in  the  Sepoy  butch 
ery. 

Dropping  the  fragrant  geranium  sprig  that  so  tormented  the 
cat,  the  girl's  fingers  interlaced  tightly,  and  she  asked  almost 
under  her  breath  : 

"  Is  Mr.  Lindsay's  health  seriously  impaired  ?" 

"  I  hope  not.  Elise  merely  said  he  had  had  two  severe  at 
tacks  of  pneumonia,  and  it  rendered  her  anxious.  No  man  of 
his  age  ranks  higher  in  the  ministry  than  Douglass  Lindsay,  and 
as  an  Oriental  scholar  I  am  told  he  has  few  equals  in  this  coun 
try.  His  death  would  be  a  great  loss  to  his  church,  and" 

"  Oh — do  not  speak  of  it !     How  can  you  ?     It  would  kill 


264  L\ FELICE. 

his  mother,"  cried  Regina,  passionately  :  clasping  her  hands 
across  her  eyes,  as  if  to  shut  out  some  horrible  vision. 

''Let  us  pray  God  to  mercifully  avert  such  a  heavy  blow. 
Hut  my  dear  keep  this  in  mind  ; — with  terrible  bereavement 
comes  the  strength  to  bear  it.  The  strength  of  endurance, — a 
strength  born  only  in  the  darkest  hours  of  a  soul's  anguish  ; 
and  at  last  when  affliction  has  done  its  worst, — and  all  earthly 
hope  is  dead, — patience  with  tender  grace  and  gentle  healing 
mutely  sits  down  in  hope's  vacant  place.  To-day  I  found  a 
passage  in  a  new  book,  that  impressed  me  as  beautiful,  strong, 
and  true.  Would  you  like  to  hear  it  ?  " 

"  If  it  will  teach  me  patience,  please  let  me  hear  it." 

"  Give  me  the  book  lying  on  the  lounge." 

She  opened  it,  put  on  her  spectacles,  and  read  : 

"  '  There  is  the  peace  of  surrendered,  as  well  as  of  fulfilled 
hopes, —the  peace,  not  of  satisfied,  but  of  extinguished  longings, 
— the  peace,  not  of  the  happy  love  and  the  secure  fireside,  but 
of  unmurmuring  and  accepted  loneliness, — the  peace,  not  of 
the  heart  which  lives  in  joyful  serenity  afar  from  trouble  and 
from  strife,  but  of  the  heart  whose  conflicts  are  over,  and  whose 
hopes  are  buried, — the  peace  of  the  passionless  as  well  as  the 
peace  of  the  happy  ; — not  the  peace  which  brooded  over  Eden, 
but  that  which  crowned  Gelhsemane.1  " 

"  My  dear  Regina  only  religion  brings  this  blessed  calm  ; — 
this  is  indeed  that  promised  'Peace  that  passeth  all  understand 
ing,' — and  therefore  we  would  all  do  well  to  heed  the  words  of 
Isaiah  :  *  Their  strength  is  to  sit  still.'  " 

Looking  reverently  up  at  her  pale,  worn  placid  face,  the  girl 
thought  it  might  have  been  considered  a  psalm  of  Renunciation. 
Almost  sorrowfully  she  answered  : 

"  I  begin  to  see  that  there  is  far  more  shadow  than  sunshine 
in  this  world  ;  the  night  is  longer  than  the  day." 

"  You  are  too  young  to  realize  such  solemn  things,  and  should 
endeavor  to  catch  all  the  dew  of  life  that  glistens  within  your 
reach;  for  the  withering  heat  of  the  noon  will  come  soon  enough, 
to  even  the  most  favored.  An  erroneous  impression  has  too 


INF E LICE.  265 

long  prevailed,  that  religious  fervor  and  a  cheerful  hopeful  happy 
spirit  are  incompatible ;  that  devoutness  manifests  ifr.elf  in  a 
lugubrious  or  at  least  solemn  visage,  and  that  a  joyous  mirthful 
temperament  is  closely  allied  to  'the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the 
devil.'  A  more  mischievous  fallacy  never  found  favor.  Inno 
cent  happiness  in  our  hearts  is  acceptable  worship  to  our  God, 
who  has  given  us  the  language  of  joy,  as  He  gave  to  birds  the 
power  of  song.  In  the  universal  canticle  wnich  nature  sends 
up  to  its  Creator,  shall  humanity,  the  noblest  of  the  marvellous 
mechanism,  alone  be  silent?  The  innocent  joyousness  of  a 
pure  heart,  is  better  than  incense  swung  in  the  temples  of  the 
Lord." 

"Mrs.  Mason  I  wish  to  consult  you  on  a  subject  that  has 
given  me  some  anxiety.  Would  you  approve  of  my  attending 
the  theatre  and  opera  ?  I  have  never  yet  gone,  because  I  think 
neither  Mr.  Hargrove  nor  Mr.  Lindsay  would  have  advised  me 
to  do  so  ;  and  I  am  perplexed  about  the  matter,  for  Mr.  Palma 
says  that  next  winter  he  shall  insist  on  my  seeing  the  best  plays 
and  operas.  What  ought  I  to  do  ?  " 

"  If  you  were  a  member  of  any  church,  which  expressly  pro 
hibited  such  amusements,  I  should  say,  do  not  infringe  the  rules 
which  you  voluntarily  promised  to  respect  and  obey ;  but  as 
yet,  you  have  taken  no  ecclesiastical  vows.  Habitual  attend 
ance  upon  such  scenes  as  you  refer  to,  is  very  apt  I  think  to 
vitiate  the  healthful  tone  of  one's  thoughts  and  feelings,  but 
an  occasional  visit  would  probably  injure  none  but  very  weak 
minds.  Your  guardian  is  I  daresay,  a  prudent  judicious  man, 
and  would  be  careful  in  selecting  plays,  that  could  offend 
neither  morality  nor  delicacy.  There  are  many  things  upon 
the  stage,  which  are  sinful,  vicious  and  vulgar, — but  there  are 
hundreds  of  books  quite  as  bad  and  dangerous.  As  we  choose 
only  the  best  volumes  to  read, — so  be  sure  to  select  only  pure 
plays  and  operas.  '  Lear '  would  teach  you  the  awful  results 
of  filial  disobedience  ;  '  Merchant  of  Venice,'  the  sin  of  ava 
rice, — '  Julius  Caesar '  that  of  unsanctified  ambition.  There  are 
threads  of  wisdom,  patience,  charity  and  heroism  which  might 

12 


266 

be  gathered  from  the  dramatic  spindle,  and  woven  advanta 
geously  into  the  garment  of  our  daily  lives  and  thoughts. 
There  is  a  marvellous  pathos,  fervor,  sanctity — in  the  '  Casta 
Diva '  of  *  Norma,'  that  appeals  to  my  soul,  as  scarcely  any 
other  piece  of  music  ever  has  done  ;  and  I  really  should  be 
glad  to  hear  it  played  on  the  organ  every  Sunday  morning. 
Why  ?  Because  I  recognize  in  it  the  spirit  of  Prayer  from  a 
tortured  erring  human  soul, — invoking  celestial  aid,  and  to  me 
it  is  no  longei  a  pagan  Druid  song,  trilled  by  the  popular 
Prima-Donna  at  the  Academy  of  Music, — but  a  hymn  to  the 
Heavenly  powers, — as  consecrated  as  an  Ave  Maria,  or  as 
Rossini's  '  Inflarnmatus.'  Are  we  lower  than  the  bees,  who 
wisely  discriminate  between  pure  honey,  and  poisonous  sweets  ? 
Touching  these  things,  Lowell  has  nobly  set  us  an  example  of : 

1  Pleading  for  whatsoever  touches  life 
With  upward  impulse  :   be  He  nowhere  else, 
God  is  in  all  that  liberates  and  lifts, 
In  all  that  humbles,  sweetens,  and  consoles.' 

I  think  that  in  the  matters  you  mention,  you  may  safely  defei 
to  your  guardian's  wishes, — bearing  always  in  mind,  this  fact— 
that  he  professes  no  religious  faith  ;  and  praying  God's  Holy 
Spirit  to  guide  you,  and  keep  your  heart  faithful  and  pure." 

Regina  longed  to  ask  something  more  explicit  concerning  the 
stage,  but  the  thought  of  her  mother  peremptorily  forbade  a  dis 
cussion,  that  seemed  to  imply  censure  of  her  profession. 

"  There  is  the  bell  for  service.  Are  you  not  going  to  church 
this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  No  dear,  I  am  not  very  well,  and  besides,  I  promised  to 
stay  at  home,  and  see  a  poor  old  friend,  who  has  no  time  to 
visit  during  the  week,  and  is  just  now  in  great  affliction.  You 
are  not  afraid  to  go  alone  ?  " 

"  Not  afraid,  Mrs.  Mason,  still  I  wish  you  could  go  with  me. 
When  you  answ.r  dear  Mrs.  Lindsay's  letter,  ask  her  not  to 
forget  me, — and  tell  her  I  am  trying  to  do  right  in  all  things, — 
as  far  as  I  can  see  my  way.  Good-bv,  Mrs.  Mason." 


INF E LICE.  267 

She  bent  her  head,  so  that  the  faded  placid  lips  could  kiss 
her  cheek, — and  went  out  into  the  quiet  street. 

Instead  of  turning  homeward,  she  hastened  in  an  opposite 
direction,  toward  a  small  brick  church  whose  bell  was  ringing, 
and  whose  afternoon  service  she  had  several  times  attended 
with  Mrs.  Mason.  Walking  more  slowly  as  she  approached 
the  building,  she  had  not  yet  reached  it,  when  steps  which  she 
had  heard  behind  her  for  several  minutes,  paused  at  her  side. 

"  Regina  is  this  the  way  home  ?  " 

"  Good  evening  Mr.  Palma.     I  am  going  to  church." 

Although  he  had  been  absent  a  week,  he  did  not  even  offer  his 
hand,  and  it  never  occurred  to  her  to  remind  him  of  the  omission. 

"  Are  you  in  the  habit  of  coming  here  alone  ?  If  so,  your 
visits  to  this  neighborhood  cease." 

"  Mrs.  Mason  has  always  accompanied  me  until  this  after 
noon,  and  as  she  could  not  leave  home,  I  came  alone." 

"  I  prefer  you  should  not  attend  strange  churches,  without  a 
companion,  and  now  I  will  see  you  safely  home." 

She  looked  up,  saw  a  few  persons  ascending  the  broad  steps, 
—and  her  soul  rose  in  rebellion. 

"What  possible  harm  can  overtake  me  in  God's  house? 
Don't  try  to  stand  between  me  and  my  duty." 

"  Do  you  not  consider  obedience  to  my  wishes  part  of  your 
duty  ?  " 

"Sometimes  Sir;  but  not  when  it  conflicts  with  my  con 
science." 

"  What  is  conscience  ?" 

"  The  feeling  God  put  into  my  soul  when  He  gave  it  to  me, 
— to  teach  me  right  from  wrong." 

"  Is  it  ?  And  if  you  were  a  Calmuck  or  a  Mongol,  it  would 
teach  you  to  reverence  Shigemooni  as  the  highest  god ;  and  bid 
you  fall  down  and  worship  Dalai-lama, — praying  him  to  give 
/ou  a  pill  of  consecrated  dough." 

"  You  mean  that  conscience  is  merely  education  ?  Even  ii 
it  should  be  so,  which  is  not  true  I  think, — the  Bible  says  '  the 
heathen  are  a  law  unto  themselves/ — and  God  knows  thej 


268  INF E  LICE. 

worship  the  best  they  can  find,  until  revelation  shows  them  theii 
error.  But  I  do  not  live  in  Lassa,  and  my  going  to  church 
here, — is  not  akin  to  Lamaisrn.  Nothing  will  happen  to  me, 
and  I  assure  you  Sir,  I  will  come  home  as  soon  as  the  service 
is  over." 

"Is  your  eternal  salvation  dependent  on  church  going?" 

"  I  don't  know, — I  rather  think  not  ; — because  if  it  were  im 
possible  for  me  to  attend  service,  the  Lord  would  know  it,  and 
He  only  requires  what  He  makes  possible.  But  at  least  you 
must  admit  it  cannot  harm  me,  and  I  enjoy  coming  to  this 
church  more  than  any  I  have  seen,  since  I  left  our  own  dear 
old  one  at  V ." 

"It  is  a  small,  very  plain  affair,  in  no  respect  comparable  to 
St.  Thomas's  Church,  where  Mrs.  Palma  takes  you  every  Sunday 
morning.  Were  you  not  there  to-day  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir,— but  " 

"But— what?     Speak  out." 

"  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to  say  so, — and  it  may  be  partly  my 
fault,  but  indeed  there  seems  to  me  more  real  religion  in  this 
plain  little  chapel, — at  least  it  does  me  more  good  to  come  here." 

"  For  instance  it  incites  and  helps  you  to  defy  your  guardian, 
on  the  street  ?  " 

Until  now,  she  had  resolutely  kept  her  face  set  churchward, 
— but  as  he  uttered  the  last  words  in  a  severer  tone  than  he 
often  used  in  conversation  with  her, — she  turned  quite  around, 
and  retraced  her  steps. 

Walking  beside  her,  he  could  only  see  the  long  soft  lashes  of 
her  downcast  eyes,  and  the  firm  compression  of  her  mouth. 

"  Little  girl  are  you  very  angry  ?  " 

She  looked  up  quickly  into  his  brilliant  smiling  eyes,  and  her 
cheek  dimpled. 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  wanted  so  very  much  to  go, — and  I  do  feel 
disappointed  ; — but  not  angry." 

"  Then  why  do  you  not  ask  me  to  go  with  you  ?" 

"  You  go  there  ?  Is  it  possible,  that  you  would  ever  do  sucb 
a  thing  ?  Really  would  you  go  Sir  ?  " 


TNFELTCE.  269 

"  Try  me.' 

"  Please  Mr.  Palma — go  with  me." 

He  raised  his  hat,  bowed  and  said  : 

"  I  will." 

"  Oh  thank  you  !  " 

They  turned  and  walked  back  in  silence,  until  they  reached 
the  door,  and  he  asked  : 

"  Are  the  pews  free  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir,  but  Mrs.  Mason  and  I  generally  sit  yonder  by  thai 
column." 

"  Very  well,  you  must  pilot  me." 

She  turned  into  the  side  aisle  next  the  windows,  and  the)' 
seated  themselves  in  a  pew  just  beyond  the  projection  of  the 
choir  gallery. 

The  edifice  was  small,  but  the  altar  and  pulpit  were  hand 
some,  and  though  the  windows  were  unstained,  the  light  was 
mellowed  by  buff  inside  blinds.  The  seats  were  by  no  means 
filled,  and  the  congregation  was  composed  of  people,  whose  ap 
pearance  denoted  that  many  belonged  to  the  laboring  class,  and 
none  to  the  Brahmin  caste  of  millionnaires, — though  all  were 
neatly  and  genteelly  apparelled. 

As  the  silver-haired  pastor  entered  the  pulpit,  the  organ  be 
gan  to  throb  in  a  low  prelude,  and  four  gentlemen  bore  shallow 
waiters  through  the  assemblage,  to  receive  the  contribution  for 
the  "  Destitute."  Mr.  Palma  saw  his  companion  take  some 
thing  from  her  glove,  and  when  the  waiter  reached  them  and  she 
put  in  her  small  alms,  which  he  judged  amounted  to  twenty-five 
cents,  he  slipped  his  fingers  in  his  vest  pocket  and  dropped  a 
bill  on  the  plate. 

"  Is  all  that  huge  sum  going  to  India,  to  the  missionaries  ?  " 
he  gravely  whispered. 

"  It  is  to  feed  the  poor  of  this  church." 

As  the  organ  swelled  fuller  and  louder,  Mr.  Palma  saw  Re- 
gina  start,  and  listen  intently  ;  then  the  choir  began  to  sing,  and 
she  turned  very  pale  and  shut  her  eyes.  He  could  discover 
nothing  remarkable  in  the  music, — "  Oh  !  that  I  had  wings," 


2  yo  IWFELICE. 

but  as  it  progressed,  the  girl's  emotion  increased, — became  al 
most  uncontrollable,  and  through  the  closed  lids,  the  tears  forced 
themselves  rapidly,  while  she  trembled  visibly,  and  seemed  try 
ing  to  swallow  her  sobs. 

He  moved  closer  to  her,  and  the  blue  eyes  opened  and 
looked  at  him  with  such  pleading  deprecating  misery  in  their 
beautiful  depths,  that  he  was  touched,  and  involuntarily  laid  his 
ungloved  hand  on  her  little  bare  fingers.  Instantly  they  closed 
around  it,  twining  like  soft  tendrils  about  his,  and  unconsciously 
his  clasp  tightened. 

All  through  the  singing  her  tears  fell  unchecked,  sliding  over 
her  cheeks  and  upon  her  white  dress,  and  when  the  congrega 
tion  knelt  in  prayer,  Mr.  Falma  only  leaned  his  head  on  the  back 
of  the  pew  in  front,  and  watched  the  figure  bowed  on  her  knees, 
close  beside  him,  crying  silently,  with  her  face  in  her  hands. 

When  the  prayer  ended  and  the  minister  announced  the  hymn, 
she  seemed  to  have  recovered  her  composure,  and  finding  the 
page,  offered  her  pretty  gilt  hymn-book  to  her  guardian.  He 
accepted  it  mechanically,  and  during  the  reading  of  the  Scrip 
tures  that  soon  followed,  he  slowly  turned  over  the  leaves  until 
he  reached  the  title-page.  On  the  fly-leaf  that  fluttered  over, 
was  written :  "  Regina  Orme.  With  the  love  and  prayers  of 
Douglass  Lindsay." 

Closing  the  book,  he  laid  it  in  his  lap,  leaned  back  and  folded 
his  arms  over  his  chest. 

The  preacher  read  the  sixty-third  Psalm,  and  from  it  selected 
his  text : 

"  My  soul  followeth  hard  after  thee." 

Although  certainly  not  a  modern  Chrysostom,  he  was  an  ear 
nest,  faithful,  and  enlightened  man,  full  of  persuasive  fervor ;  and 
to  the  brief  but  interesting  discourse  he  delivered, — a  discourse 
occasionally  sprinkled  with  felicitous  metaphors,  and  rounded 
with  several  eloquent  passages,  Mr.  Palma  appeared  to  listen 
quite  attentively.  Once  a  half  smile  moved  his  mouth,  as  he  won 
dered  what  his  associates  at  the  "  Century"  would  think,  if  they 
could  look  in  upon  him  there  ;  otherwise  his  deportment  was  most 


INFELICE. 


271 


gravely  decorous.  As  he  heard  the  monotonous  rise  and  fall 
of  the  minister's  tone,  the  words  soon  ceased  to  bear  any  meaning 
to  ears  that  gradually  caught  other  cadences  long  hushed  ; 
the  voice  of  Memory  calling  him  from  afar  off, — back  to  the 
dewy  days  of  his  early  boyhood,  —  when  walking  by  his  mother's 
side  he  had  gone  to  church,  and  held  her  book  as  he  now  held 
Regina's.  Since  then,  how  many  changes  time  had  wrought  ? 
How  holy  seemed  that  distant,  dim,  church-going  season  ? 

At  long  intervals,  and  upon  especially  august  occasions  he 
had  now  and  then  attended  service  in  the  elegant  church  where 
his  pew-rent  was  regularly  paid  ;  but  not  until  to-day  had  he 
been  attacked  by  the  swarming  reminiscences  of  his  childhood, — 
all  eagerly  babbling  of  the  long-forgotten  things  once  learned — 

"At  that  best  academe,  a  mother's  knee." 

From  the  benignant  countenance  of  the  earnest  preacher,  his 
keen  cold  eyes  began  to  wander,  and  after  awhile  rested  upon 
the  pale  tender  face  at  his  side. 

Except  that  the  lashes  were  heavy  with  moisture  that  no 
longer  overflowed  in  drops, — there  was  no  trace  of  the  shower 
that  had  fallen  ;  for  hers  was  one  of  those  rare  countenances,  no 
more  disfigured  by  weeping,  than  the  pictured  Mater  Dolorosa 
by  the  tear  on  her  cheek. 

To-day  in  the  subdued  sadness  that  filled  her  heart,  while  she 
pondered  the  depressing  news  from  India,  her  face  seemed  ethe- 
realized, — singularly  sublimated  ;  and  as  he  watched  the  expres 
sion  of  child-like  innocence, — the  delicate  tracery  of  nose  and 
brows, — the  transparent  purity  of  the  complexion, — and  the 
unfathomable  purplish  blue  of  the  eyes  uplifted  to  the  pulpit, 
a  strange  thrill  never  experienced  before,  stirred  his  cold  stony 
heart,  and  quickened  the  beat  of  his  quiet,  slow  steady  pulse. 

He  had  smiled  a.nd  bowed  before  lovely  women  of  various 
and  bewitching  types  of  beauty, — had  his  abstract  speculative 
ideal  of  feminine  perfection,  and  had  been  feted,  flattered, 
coaxed,  baited  and  welcomed  to  many  shrines,  whereon  grace, 
wit,  and  wealth  had  lavished  their  choicest  charms ;  but  the 


772  TNFELTCE. 

carefully  watched  and  well-regulated  valvular  machine  he  was 
pleased  to  designate  his  heart,  had  never  as  yet  experienced 
a  warmer  sensation  than  that  of  mere  critical  admiration  for 
classic  contours,  symmetrical  figures,  or  voluptuous  Paul  Ver 
onese  coloring. 

Once  only,  early  in  his  professional  career,  he  had  coolly, 
dispassionately,  sordidly, — and  with  a  hand  as  firm  as  Astrasa's 
own, — held  the  matrimonial  scales,  and  weighed  the  influence 
and  preferment  that  he  could  command  by  a  politic  and  brilliant 
marriage, — against  the  advantages  of  freedom,  and  the  glory  of 
unassisted  success  and  advancement.  For  the  lady  herself,  a 
bright  mirthful  pretty  brunette,  who  in  contrast  with  his  frigid 
nature  seemed  a  gaudy  tropical  bird  fluttering  around  a  stolid 
arctic  auk, — he  had  not  even  a  shadow  of  affection  ;  and  looked 
quite  beyond  the  graceful  lay  figure  draped  with  his  name, — to 
the  lofty  judicial  eminence  where  her  distinguished  father  held 
sway,  and  could  rapidly  elevate  him. 

No  softer  emotion  than  ambition  had  suggested  the  thought, 
and  after  a  patient  balancing  of  the  opposing  weights  of  selfish 
ness,  he  had  utterly  thrown  aside  the  thought  of  entangling  him 
self  in  any  Hymeneal  snares. 

Probably  few  men  have  attained  his  age,  without  having 
breathed  vows  of  love  into  some  rosy  ear,  but  his  colossal 
professional  pride  and  vanity  had  absolutely  absorbed  him  ; 
left  him  neither  room  nor  time  for  other  and  softer  senti 
ments. 

The  numerous  attempts  to  entrap  his  dim  chilly  affections, 
had  somewhat  lowered  his  estimate  of  female  delicacy  ;  and 
possessing  the  flattering  assurance  that  no  fair  hand  was  held 
too  high  for  his  grasp,  should  he  choose  to  claim  it,  he  had 
grown  rather  arrogant.  Of  coquetry  he  was  entirely  innocent ; 
it  seemed  too  contemptible  even  for  mere  sport,  and  he  scorned 
the  thought  of  feeding  his  vanity,  by  feminine  sacrifices. 

Too  sternly  proud  to  owe  success  to  any  but  his  own  will 
and  resolution,  he  had  never  proposed  or  even  desired  to  marry 
any  woman  ;  and  was  generally  regarded  as  a  hopelessly  ic) 


INF  SLICE.  273 

bachelor,  whom  all  welcomed  with  smiles,  but  despaired  of  cap 
tivating. 

After  forty  years'  sole  undisputed  mastery  of  his  heart,  some 
thing  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  wakened  there, — groped  about, 
— would  not  "  down  "  at  his  bidding ;  and  a  new  sensation  made 
itself  felt. 

A  brief  sentence  of  Elliott  Roscoe,  had  like  Moses'  rod 
smitten  the  rock  of  his  affections,  and  forthwith  gushed  a  flood 
of  riotous  feelings  never  known  before.  At  the  thought  of  any 
man  claiming  Regina's  perfect  dainty  lips,  and  peerless  impe 
rial  eyes,  a  hot  wave  of  indignant  protest  rolled  over  his  whole 
being.  That  she  should  belong  to  another,  now  seemed  mon 
strous,  sacrilegious,  and  all  the  strength  of  his  own  nature  rose 
in  mutiny. 

Never  until  to-day  had  he  analyzed  his  sentiments  toward  his 
ward, — never  had  he  deemed  it  possible  for  his  wisely  disciplined 
heart  to  bow  before  anything  of  flesh,  but  now  as  he  sat  looking 
at  the  sweet  face,  he  saw  that  rebellion  desperate  and  uncom 
promising  had  broken  out  in  his  rigidly  governed,  long  down 
trodden  nature,  and  with  the  prompt  vigilance  habitual  to  him, 
he  calmly  counted  the  cost  of  crushing  the  insurrection. 

Shading  his  countenance  with  his  fingers,  he  deliberately 
studied  her  features, — even  the  modelling  of  the  waxen  hands 
folded  together  on  her  knee ;  and  then  and  there, — weighing  all 
his  achievements,  all  his  pictured  future,  so  dazzling  with 
coveted  ermine, — he  honestly  confessed  to  his  own  soul  that 
the  universe  held  for  him,  nothing  so  precious  as  that  fair  pure 
young  girl. 

How  superlatively  presumptuous  appeared  Elliott  Roscoe' s 
avowed  admiration  and  preference  ?  How  dared  that  humble 
impecunious  divinity  student  now  sojourning  in  the  "  Land  of 
the  Veda,"  lift  his  eyes  toward  this  priceless  treasure,  which 
Erie  Palma  wanted  to  call  his  own  ? 

Just  then  Regina  took  her  hymn-book  to  search  for  the  clos 
ing  verses  designated  by  the  minister,  and  as  she  opened  the 
volume  the  inscription  on  the  fly-leaf  showed  conspicuously. 

12* 


274  INFELTCE. 

The  lawyer  set  his  teeth,  and  the  fingers  of  his  right  hand 
opened,  then  closed  hard  and  tight,  a  gesture  in  which  he 
often  unconsciously  indulged,  when  resolving  on  some  future 
step. 

The  benediction  was  pronounced,  and  the  congregation  dis 
persed. 

Walking  silently  beside  her  guardian  until  they  had  proceeded 
some  distance  from  the  church,  Regina  wondered  how  she 
should  interpret  the  grave  preoccupied  expression  of  his  counte 
nance.  Had  he  been  sadly  bored,  and  did  he  repent  the  sacri 
fice,  made  to  gratify  her  caprice  ? 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  kindly  con 
senting  to  accompany  me.  'Of  course  I  know  this  church  and 
service  must  seem  dull  and  plain  in  comparison  with  that  to 
which  you  are  accustomed,  but  I  hope  you  liked  Mr.  Kelsey's 
sermon  ?  " 

"  In  some  respects,  this  afternoon  has  been  a  revelation,  and 
I  am  sure  I  shall  never  forget  the  occasion." 

"  Oh  !  I  am  so  glad  you  enjoyed  going,"  she  said,  with  evi 
dent  relief. 

"  I  did  not  intend  to  convey  that  impression ; — you  infer 
more  than  my  words  warrant.  I  was  thinking  of  other  and 
quite  irrelevant  matters, — and  to  be  frank, — really  did  not 
listen  to  the  sermon.  Do  you  attend  church  from  a  con 
viction,  that  penance  conduces  to  a  sanitary  improvement  of 
the  soul?". 

"  Penance  ?     I  do  not  exactly  understand  you,  Sir." 

"  I  certainly  have  never  seen  you  weep  so  bitterly  ;  not  even 
when  I  ruthlessly  tore  you  from  the  kind  sheltering  arms  of 
Mother  Aloysius,  and  Sister  Angela.  You  appeared  quite  heart 
broken.  Was  it  contrition  for  your  manifold  transgressions?" 

"O  no  Sir!" 

"  You  are  resolved  not  to  appoint  me  your  confessor?" 

"Mr.  Palma" her  voice  faltered. 

"Well,— goon." 

"  I  was  very  much  distressed  ; — it  made  my  heart  ache." 


TNFELICE.  275 

"  So  I  perceived.  But  was  it  the  bare  church, — or  the  min 
ister, — or  my  ward's  sensitive  conscience  ?  " 

After  a  moment,  she  lifted  her  misty  eyes  to  meet  his,  and 
answered  tremulously  : 

"  It  was  the  singing  of  '  Oh  that  I  had  wings.'  I  have  not 
heard  it  since  that  dreadful  time  I  sang  it  last, — and  you  can't 
possibly  understand  my  feelings." 

"  Certainly    not,  unless    you  deign  to  explain  the  circum 
stances." 

"  Dear  Mr.  Hargrove  asked  me  to  go  in  and  play  on  the 
organ  in  the  library,  and  sing  that  sacred  song  for  him.  I  sang 
it,  and  played  for  awhile  on  the  organ,  and  then  went  back  to 
him  on  the  verandah,-— and  he  had  died — alone,  in  his  chair, — 
while  I  was  singing  "  Oh  !  that  I  had  wings."  To-day  when  the 
choir  began  it,  everything  came  back  so  vividly  to  me. — The  dear 
happy  home  at  the  Parsonage, — the  supper  I  had  set  for  my 
dear  Mr.  Hargrove, — the  flowers  in  the  garden, — the  smell  of 
the  carnations, — the  sound  of  the  ring-doves  in  the  vines, — the 
moonlight  shining  so  softly  on  his  kind  face, — and  white  hair — 

and  Oh  !  " 

They  walked  the  length  of  two  squares  before  either  spoke 
again. 

"  I  was  not  aware  that  you  performed  on  the  organ." 
"  Mrs.  Lindsay  gave  me  lessons,  and  I  used  the  cabinet  organ." 
"  Do  you  prefer  it  to  the  piano  ?" 
"  For  sacred  songs,  I  do." 

"If  we  had  one  in  the  library,  do  you  suppose  you  would 
ever  sing  for  me  ?  " 

"  If  you  really  desired  it,  perhaps  I  would  try,  but  of  course 
I  know  very  well  that  you  care  nothing  for  my  music  ;  and  our 
dear  old  hymns  and  chants  would  only  tire  and  annoy  you.' 
"  To  whom  does  '  our  '  refer  ?  " 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Hargrove,  and  Mrs.  Lindsay  and  her  son. 
We  so  often  sang  quartettes  at  home, — in  the  long,  delicious, 
peaceful  summer  evenings, — before  the  awful  affliction  came 
and  separated  us." 


276  INFELTCE. 

The  lamps  were  lighted,  and  night  closed  in,  with  silvery  con 
stellations  overhead,  before  Mr.  Palma  and  his  companion  were 
near  their  destination.  As  they  crossed  a  street,  he  said, 
abruptly  breaking  a  long  silence  : 

"  Take  my  arm." 

Never  before  had  such  a  courtesy  been  tendered,  and  she 
looked  up  in  unfeigned  surprise. 

He  was  so  tall,  so  stately,  that  the  proposition  seemed  to  her 
preposterous. 

"  Can't  you  reach  it  ?" 

He  took  her  hand,  drew  it  beneath,  and  placed  the  fingers 
on  his  arm . 

"  Of  late  you  have  grown  so  rapidly,  your  head  is  almost  on 
a  level  with  my  shoulder ;  and  you  are  quite  tall  enough  now  to 
accept  my  escort." 

When  they  were  within  a  square  of  home,  Mr.  Palma  said 
very  gravely  : 

"  This  afternoon,  I  indulged  one  of  your  whims;  now  will  you 
reciprocate,  and  gratify  a  caprice  of  your  guardian  ?  " 

"  Have  you  caprices  ?  I  think  not, — but  I  will  oblige  you  if 
I  can  do  so." 

"  Thank  you.  In  future  you  must  never  walk  to  see  Mrs. 
Mason ;  always  go  in  the  carriage,  and  I  am  unwilling  that  you 
should  be  out  as  late  as  this,  unless  Mrs.  Palma  accompanies 
you,  or  I  am  with  you.  You  need  not  ask  my  reasons  ;  it  is 
sufficient  that  I  wish  it, — and  it  is  my  caprice  to  be  obeyed 
without  questions.  One  thing  more  ; — I  do  not  at  all  like  your 
name, — never  did.  Latinity  is  not  one  of  my  predilections,  and 
Regina,  Reginae,  Reginam — wearily  remind  me  of  the  classic- 
slough  of  declensions,  and  conjugations, — of  my  Livy,  Sallust, 
Tacitus.  In  my  mind  you  have  always  been  associated  with 
the  white  lilies  that  you  held  at  the  convent,  the  first  time  I 
saw  you, — that  you  held  to  your  heart,  while  asleep  on  the  cars ; 
and  hereafter  when  only  you  and  I  are  present,  I  intend  to  in 
dulge  the  caprice  of  calling  my  ward — Lily." 


TNFELICE.  277 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

IONDER  they  come  !  They  have  just  left  the  carriage, 
and  as  usual  she  is  escorted  by  her  body-guard ; 
those  grim  old  fogies,  who  watch  her  like  a  pair  of 
gray-owls.  Now  Doctor,  you  must  contrive  an  introduction." 

General  Rene  Laurance  raised  his  gold  eyeglass,  and  looked 
curiously  toward  a  group  of  three  persons  who  were  walking 
amid  the  ruins  of  Pozzuoli. 

His  companion  Dr.  Plymley,  who  was  examining  an  inscrip 
tion,  turned  around  and  looked  in  the  direction  indicated. 

"  Are  you  sure  ?    I  am  quite  near-sighted." 

"  Very  sure,  for  no  other  figure  could  be  mistaken  for  hers. 
By  all  the  gods  ever  worshipped  here,  she  is  the  loveliest  woman 
I  ever  saw, — but  as  coy  as  a  maid  of  fifteen.  The  fact  that  she 
secludes  herself  so  rigidly,  only  stimulates  curiosity,  and  I  have 
sworn  a  solemn  oath  to  make  her  acquaintance ;  for  it  is  some 
thing  novel  in  my  experience  to  have  my  overtures  rejected,  my 
courtesies  ignored." 

"  Come  this  way  General.  This  encounter  must  appear 
purely  accidental,  for  Madame  Orrne  is  very  peculiar,  very  sus 
picious  ;  and  if  she  imagines  we  planned  this  excursion  to  meet 
her,  or  left  Naples  with  the  intention  of  joining  her  party,— the 
chances  are  that  I  as  well  as  you  would  be  snubbed.  In  her 
desire  to  avoid  society  and  personal  attention,  one  might  sup 
pose  her  an  escaped  abbess  from  some  convent, — instead  of  a 
popular  actress.  It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  I  prevailed 
on  her  to  receive  my  son  and  wife  one  afternoon ;  as  she 
remarked  that  her  object  in  coming  here  was  to  secure  health, 
not  acquaintances.  In  treating  her  professionally,  I  was  called 
upon  to  prescribe  for  what,  in  her  case  is  more  than  ordinary 
sleeplessness, — is  veritably  pervigilium  ;  and  when  she  refused 
opiates.  I  asked  if  there  were  not  some  trouble  weighing  upon 
ner  mind,  which  prevented  her  from  sleeping.  Her  reply  was 


2  7g  TNFELICE. 

singular  :  '  Many  years  have  passed  since  J  became  a  widow, 
and  was  forced  to  leave  my  only  child  in  America, — and  the 
power  of  sound  healthy  sleep  has  deserted  me.'  Even  in 
Naples,  her  beauty  attracts  attention  wherever  she  is  seen." 

"  Certainly  I  am  not  a  tyro  in  these  matters, — and  have 
probably  had  as  much  experience  as  any  other  man  of  my  years 
and  well  improved  opportunities, — and  you  can  form  an  esti 
mate  of  my  appreciation  of  her  charms,  when  I  tell  you  I  have 
followed  her  since  the  night  I  first  saw  her  on  the  stage,  at 
Milan.  I  see  your  wife  beckoning  us  to  join  her." 

Although  sixty-five  years  old,  Gen.  Laurance  carried  himself 
as  erectly  as  the  son  he  left:  in  Paris, — and  his  proud  bearing 
and  handsome  face  seemed  to  contradict  the  record  of  years 
that  had  passed  so  lightly  over  him.  A  profusion  of  silver 
threads  streaked  the  black  locks  that  scorned  all  artificial  color 
ing,  and  his  moustache  and  beard  were  quite  grizzled,  but  as  he 
stood  tracing  triangles  on  the  sand  with  the  point  of  his  light 
cane, — and  pushed  back  the  hat  from  his  heated  brow, — no 
one  unacquainted  with  his  history  would  have  deemed  him 
more  than  fifty  : — a  man  of  distinguished  appearance,  com 
manding  stature,  with  rather  haughty,  martial  mien, — healthful 
ruddy  complexion,  and  sparkling  blue  eyes  keen  and  incisive. 

From  boyhood  Self  had  been  his  openly  and  devoutly  wor 
shipped  god,  and  upon  its  altars,  conscience  had  long  ago 
been  securely  bound  and  silenced.  Pride  of  family,  love  of 
pomp,  power  and  luxury,  and  an  inordinate  personal  vanity 
were  the  predominating  characteristics  of  a  man,  who  indulged 
his  inclinations,  no  matter  how  devious  the  paths  into  which 
they  strayed ;  nor  how  mercilessly  obstacles  must  be  trampled 
down,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  accomplishment  of  his  purposes. 
Naturally  neither  cruel  not  vindictive,  he  had  gradually  grown 
pitiless  in  all  that  conduced  to  self-aggrandizement,  or  self- 
indulgence  ; — incapable  of  a  generosity  that  involved  ever 
slight  sacrifice, — a  polished  handsome  epicurean,  an  expen 
enced  man  of  the  world,  putting  aside  all  scruples  in  the  attain 
ment  of  his  selfish  aims. 


IKFELICE.  279 

From  wholly  politic  motives,  and  in  order  to  extend  his 
estates  and  increase  his  revenue,  he  had  married  early  in  life, 
and  his  affection  never  bestowed  upon  his  wife,  had  centred  in 
their  only  child  Cuthbert.  When  death  removed  the  unloved 
mother,  freedom  was  joyfully  welcomed,  and  the  memory  of  his 
neglected  bride  rarely  visited  the  heart,  which  was  not  invulner 
able  to  grace  and  beauty. 

The  consummation  of  an  alliance  between  his  son  and  Abbie 
Ames,  the  banker's  daughter,  had  cost  him  much  manoeuvring, 
and  tedious  diplomacy,  for  like  his  father,  Cuthbert  was  fastidi 
ous  in  his  tastes,  and  an  ardent  devotee  to  female  beauty ;  but 
when  finally  accomplished,  Gen.  Laurance  considered  his 
paternal  obligations  fully  discharged,  and  thenceforth  roamed 
from  city  to  city,  sipping  such  enjoyment  as  money,  aristo 
cratic  stains,  urbane  manners,  and  a  heritage  of  well-preserved 
good-looks  enabled  him  to  taste  at  will. 

Six  months  before,  he  had  first  seen  Madame  Orme  at> 
"Deborah,"  in  Mosenthal's  popular  drama,  and  charmed  by 
her  face  and  figure,  had  attempted  to  make  her  acquaintance. 
But  his  floral  offerings  had  been  rejected,  his  jewels  and  notes 
returned, — his  presentation  refused,  his  visits  interdicted  ;  and 
as  usually  occurs  in  natures  like  his,  opposition  to  his  wishes 
intensified  them, — cold  indifference  and  denial  only  deepened 
and  strengthened  his  determination  to  crush  all  barriers.  His 
pride  was  wounded,  his  vanity  sorely  piqued,  and  to  compel 
her  acknowledgment  of  his  power,  her  submission  to  his  sway, 
became  for  the  while  his  special  aim,  his  paramount  purpose. 
Hence  he  loitered  at  Naples,  seeking  occasions, — lying  in  wait 
for  an  opportunity  to  open  a  campaign  that  promised  him  new 
triumphs. 

Dr.  Plymley  was  an  English  physician  travelling  with  an 
invalid  wife  and  consumptive  son,  and  having  been  consulted 
by  Mrs.  Orme  on  several  occasions  in  Milan,  had  at  length 
been  prevailed  upon  by  Gen.  Laurance  to  arrange  an  appar 
ently  casual  introduction. 

It  was  a  cloudless  spring  day,  and  leaving  Mr.  and  Mrs 


28o  TNFELICE. 

Waul  to  read  a  package  of  American  papers,  Mrs.  Orme 
walked  away  toward  the  lonely  outlines  of  the  Serapeon. 

The  delicious  balmy  atmosphere,  the  interest  of  the  objects 
that  lined  the  drive  from  Naples,  and  the  exercise  of  wander 
ing  from  point  to  point  had  brought  a  delicate  glow  to  her 
cheeks,  and  a  brighter  carmine  to  her  lips  ;  and  beneath  the 
white  chip  hat,  with  its  wreath  of  clustering  pink  convolvulus 
lying  on  her  golden  hair,  the  lovely  face  seemed  almost  unsur 
passed  in  its  witchery. 

She  wore  a  sea-green  dress  of  some  soft  fabric  that  floated  in 
the  wind,  as  she  moved,  and  over  her  shoulders  was  wound  a 
white  fleecy  mantle  fastened  at  the  throat  by  a  costly  green 
cameo, — which  also  secured  a  spray  of  lemon  flowers,  that 
lavished  their  fragrance  on  the  bright  warm  air.  Closing  her 
parasol,  she  walked  down  to  the  ruined  Temple,  and  ap 
proached  the  wonderful  cipollino  columns,  that  bear  such 
mysterious  attestation  of  the  mutations  of  land  and  sea,  of  time 
and  human  religions.  Since  the  days  of  Agrippina  and  Julia, 
— had  a  fairer  prouder  face  shone  under  those  hoary  marble 
shafts,  and  mirrored  itself  in  the  marvellous  mosaic  floor, — than 
that  which  now  looked  calmy  down  on  the  placid  water  flowing 
so  silently  over  the  costly  pavements, — where  sovereigns  once 
reverently  trod  ?  " 

In  imagination  she  beheld  the  vast  throng  of  worshippers, 
who  two  thousand  years  ago  had  filled  the  magnificent  court, 
where  the  sun  was  now  shining  unimpeded  ;  and  above  the 
low  musical  babble  of  wavelets  breaking  upon  the  chiselled 
marbles,  rose  the  hum  of  the  generations  sleeping  to-day  in  the 
columbaria, — and  the  chant  of  the  priests  before  the  statue  of 
Serapis,  which  sacrilegious  hands  had  borne  away  from  his 
ancient  throne.  Were  the  blue  caverns  of  the  Mediterranean 
not  deep  enough  to  entomb  these  colossal  relics  of  that  dim 
vast  Past,  whose  feebly  ebbing  tide  still  drifts  so  mournfully,  so 
solemnly,  so  mysteriously  upon  our  listening  souls  ?  Did 
compassionate  Neptune, — tenderly  guarding  the  ruins  of  his 
own  desecrated  fane, — once  resonant  with  votive  paeans, — now 


TNFELICE.  281 

echoing  only  sea-born  murmurs, — refuse  sepulture  to  Serapis, 
and  again  and  again  return  to  the  golden  light  of  land  the 
sculptured  friezes,  that  could  find  permanent  rest  neither  upon 
sea  nor  shore  ? 

To-day  the  lonely  woman  standing  amid  crumbling  cornices 
and  architraves,  wondered  whether  the  sunken  pavement  of  the 
Serapeon  were  a  melancholy  symbol  of  her  own  blighted  youth, 
— never  utterly  lost  to  view, — often  overwhelmed  by  surging 
waves  of  bitterness,  hate  and  despair, — but  now  and  then  lifted 
by  memory  to  the  light,  and  found  as  fresh  and  glowing  as  in 
the  sacred  bygone  ?  To-day  buried  beneath  the  tide  of  sorrow 
— to-morrow  shining  clear  and  imperishable  ? 

Gazing  out  across  the  sapphire  sea  that  mirrored  a  cloudless 
sapphire  sky,  Mrs.  Orme's  beautiful  solemn  face  seemed  almost 
a  part  of  the  classic  surroundings, — a  statue  of  Fate  shaken 
from  its  ancient  niche ;  and  the  cameo  Sappho  on  her  breast 
was  not  more  faultlessly  cut  and  polished,  than  the  features  that 
rose  above  it. 

A  shadow  fell  aslant  the  glassy  water  through  which  was  visi 
ble  the  glint  of  the  submerged  pavement,  and  turning  her  head, 
she  saw  the  familiar  countenance  of  her  quondam  physician. 

"  A  glorious  day,  Dr.  Plymley  ?  " 

"  Glorious  indeed  Madame,  for  a  dinner  at  Baiae.  I  hope 
you  are  feeling  quite  well,  and  bright  as  this  delicious  sunshine  ? 
Mrs.  Orme,  will  you  allow  me  the  favor  of  presenting  my  friend 
Gen.  Laurance,  who  requests  the  honor  of  an  introduction  ?  " 

She  had  been  unaware  of  the  presence  of  his  companion, 
who  was  concealed  from  view,  and  as  he  stepped  forward  and 
took  off  his  hat, — she  drew  herself  up, — and  at  last  they  were 
face  to  face. 

How  her  brown  eyes  widened, — lightened,  and  what  a  sudden 
whiteness  fell  upon  her  features, — as  if  June  roses  had  been 
smitten  with  snow  !  Holding  with  both  hands  the  frail  fluted 
ivory  handle  of  her  parasol,  it  snapped, — and  the  carved  leo 
pard  that  constituted  the  head,  fell  with  a  ringing  sound  upon 
one  of  the  marble  blocks, — thence  into  the  sluggish  water  be- 


282  WFELICE. 

neath  ; — but  her  eyes  had  not  moved  from  his, — seemed  to  hold 
them,  as  with  some  magnetic  spell.  A  radiant  smile  parted  her 
pale  lips,  and  she  said  in  her  wonderfully  sweet,  rich,  liquid 
tones  which  sank  into  people's  ears  and  hearts,  as  some  mel 
low  old  wine  creeps  through  the  gray  cells  of  the  brain, 
bringing  lotos  dreams  : 

"  Is  the  gentleman  before  me,  Gen.  Rene  Laurance  of 
America  ?  " 

"  I  am,  Madame  ;  and  supremely  happy  in  the  accident 
which  enables  me  to  make  an  acquaintance,  so  long  and  ear 
nestly  desired.  Surely  the  ruins  amidst  which  we  meet,  must 
be  those,  not  of  the  Serapeon, — but  of  some  antique  shrine  of 
Good  Fortune, — and  I  vow  a  libation  worthy  of  the  boon  re 
ceived." 

With  that  unwavering  gaze  still  upon  his  dark  blue  eyes,  she 
drew  off  her  glove  and  held  out  her  fair  hand,  smiling  the  while, 
as  Circe  doubtless  did  before  her. 

"  I  am  sincerely  glad  to  meet  Gen  Laurance,  of  whom  I 
heard  the  American  Minister  at  Paris  speak  in  glowing  terms 
of  commendation.  I  believe  I  also  met  a  son  of  Gen.  Lau 
rance  in  Paris  ?  Certainly  he  resembles  you  most  strikingly." 

As  he  received  into  his  own,  the  pretty  pearly  hand,  and 
bowed  low  over  it,  he  felt  agreeably  surprised  by  the  cordiality 
of  a  reception  which  appeared  utterly  inconsistent  with  her 
stern  contemptuous  rejection  of  his  previous  attempts  to  form 
her  acquaintance  :  and  he  could  not  quite  reconcile  the  beam 
ing  smile  on  her  lip,  and  the  sparkling  radiance  in  her  eyes.— 
with  the  pallor  which  he  saw  settle  swiftly  upon  her  face,  when 
his  name  was  first  pronounced. 

"Ah!  My  son  Cuthbert  ?  Handsome  young  dog, — and 
like  his  father,  finds  beauty  the  most  powerful  magnet.  Where 
did  you  meet  him  ?  " 

"Only  once,  when  he  was  introduced  by  our  minister,  who 
deputized  him  to  deliver  to  me  some  custom-house  regulations." 

"  Did  you  meet  Mrs.  Laurance  ?  " 

"  Your  wife— Sir  ?  " 


INFELICE*  283 

Annoyance  instantaneously  clouded  his  countenance,  and 
Dr.  Plymley  gnawed  his  lower  lip,  to  hide  a  smile. 

"My  son's  wife.  Cuthbert  and  I  are  the  only  survivors  of 
my  own  immediate  family." 

"  If  Madame  had  not  so  rigidly  adhered  to  her  recluse  habits, 
she  could  scarcely  have  failed  to  learn  from  his  brilliant  cam 
paigns  in  gay  society,  that  the  General  is  unfettered  by  matri 
monial  bonds,  and  almost  as  irresistible  and  popular  as  his 
naughty  model  D'Orsay." 

"  Madame,  Plymley  is  a  traitor,  jealously  stabbing  my  spotless 
reputation.  I  deny  the  indictment, — and  appeal  to  youi 
heavenly  charity,  praying  you  to  believe  that  I  plead  guilty 
only  to  the  possession  of  a  heart  tenderly  vulnerable  to  the 
shafts  of  grace  and  beauty." 

The  earnestness  of  his  tone  and  manner  was  unmistakable, 
and  beneath  the  bold  admiration  of  his  fine  eyes,  the  carmine 
came  swiftly  back  to  her  blanched  cheek. 

"  Beau  monde  and  its  fashionable  foibles  constitute  a  sealed 
volume  to  me.  My  world  is  apart  from  that,  in  which  Gen. 
Laurance  wins  myrtle  crowns,  and  wears  them  so  royally." 

"When  genius  like  Madame' s  monopolizes  the  bay,  we  less 
gifted  mortals  must  even  twine  myrtle  leaves, — or  else  humbly 
bow,  bare  of  chaplets.  But  may  I  ask,  why  you  so  sternly 
taboo  that  social  world  which  you  are  so  pre-eminently  fitted 
to  grace  and  adorn  ?  When  your  worshippers  are  well  nigh 
frenzied  with  delight, — watching  you  beyond  the  footlights,  you 
cruelly  withdraw  behind  the  impenetrable  curtain  of  seclusion  ; 
and  only  at  rare  intervals  allow  us  tantalizing  glimpses  of  you, 
— seated  in  mocking  inaccessibility  between  those  two  most 
abominable  ancient  Griffons, — whose  claws  and  beaks  are  ever 
ferociously  prominent.  When  some  desperate  deluded  adorer 
rashly  hires  a  band  of  Neapolitan  experts  to  stab,  and  bury  that 
grim  pair  of  jailers  in  the  broad  deep  grave  out  there,  toward 
Procida, — the  crime  of  murder  will  be  upon  Madame' s  fair 
head." 

"  And  if  I  answer,  that  fine  world  you  love  so  well,  is  to  me 


284  INFELICE. 

but  as  a  gray  stone  quarry, — wherein  I  daily  toil,  solely  for  food 
and  raiment  for  my  child  and  myself, — what  then  ?  " 

"Then  verily  if  that  be  possible,  Pygmalion's  cold  beauty 
were  no  longer  a  fable  ; — and  I  should  turn  sculptor.  Do  you 
not  find  that  here  in  Parthenope,  you  rapidly  drift  into  the 
classic  tide  that  strands  you  on  Paganism  ?  " 

"Has  it  borne  you  one  inch  away  from  the  gods  of  your  life 
long  worship  ?  " 

As  she  spoke,  she  bent  slightly  forward,  and  searched  his 
bright  eyes,  as  if  therein  floated  his  soul. 

"Indeed  I  can  answer  reverently,  with  my  hand  upon  my 
heart, — Italy  has  given  me  a  new  worship, — a  goddess  I  never 
knew  before.  My  divinity  " 

"  Belongs  Sir,  to  the  Dli  Involuti  !  Fortunate  provision  of 
fate, — which  leaves  us  at  least  liberty  to  deify, — you  perhaps 
family  pride, — Venus, — or  even  avaricious  Pluto  ; — I  possibly 
ambition  or  revenge.  We  all  have  our  veiled  gods, — shrouded 
close  from  curious  gaze  ;  '  the  heart  knoweth  his  own  bitterness, 
and  the  stranger  doth  not  intermeddle  with  his  joy.'  " 

She  had  interrupted  him  with  an  imperious  wave  of  her 
hand,  and  spoke  through  closed  teeth,  like  one  tossing  down 
a  gage  of  battle  ;  but  the  brilliant  smile  still  lighted  her  splen 
did  eyes,  and  showed  the  curves  of  her  temptingly  beautiful 
mouth. 

"  Mrs.  Orme,  my  wife  and  Percy  are  waiting  for  me  at  the 
Amphitheatre,  and  we  have  an  engagement  to  dine  at  Baiae. 
Can  I  persuade  you  to  join  our  party  ?  I  promise  you  a  de 
lightful  visit  to  the  old  home  of  Rome's  proudest  patricians,  in 
her  palmiest  days  ;  and  a  dinner  eaten  in  accordance  with 
Gen.  Laurance's  suggestion  on  the  site  of  the  temple  of  Venus, 
— or  if  you  prefer,  upon  that  of  Diana.  Will  you  not  contribute 
the  charm  of  your  presence  to  the  pleasure  of  our  excursion  ? 
Remember  I  am  your  physician,  and  this  morning  prescribe 
Baiaa  air." 

"  You  are  very  kind  doctor,  but  I  devote  to-day  to  Avernus, 
Cumae,  and  the  infernal  gods.  Next  week  I  shall  bask  at  Baia? 


IN  FELICE.  285 

Gentlemen  I  bid  you  good-day  >  and  a  pleasant  hour  over  your 
Falernian." 

She  turned  once  more  to  the  mysterious  solemn  face  of  that 
wonderful  legendary  blue  bay,  and  the  light  died  out  of  her 
countenance,  as  in  a  room  where  the  lamps  are  unexpectedly 
extinguished.  She  started  visibly,  when  a  voice  close  beside 
her  asked : 

"  Permit  me  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  to  your  carriage." 

"  I  am  not  going  just  yet.  Gen.  Laurance  should  not  de 
tain  the  doctor's  party." 

"  They  have  a  carriage.  I  am  on  horseback,  and  can  easily 
overtake  them  ;  but  if  I  dared, — would  beg  the  privilege  of  ac 
companying  you, — instead  of  drinking  sour  wine,  and  smoking 
poor  cigars  among  the  ivy-wreathed  ruins  that  await  me  at 
Baiae.  Ah — may  I  hope  ?  Be  generous,  banish  me  not. 
May  I  attend  you  to-day  ?  " 

"  No  Sir.  Go  pay  your  devoir  to  friendship  and  courtesy. 
I  have  faithful  guardians  in  the  two  coming  yonder  to  meet  me." 

She  pointed  to  the  heads  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waul,  just  visible 
over  the  mass  of  ruins  that  intervened,  and  lifting  her  handker 
chief,  waved  it  twice. 

"  You  have  established  a  system  of  signal  service,  with  those 
antique  ogres,  griffons  ?  Really  they  resemble  crouching  cou 
gars,  ready  to  spring  upon  the  unwary  who  dare  penetrate  to 
the  sacred  precincts  that  enclose  you.  Why  do  you  always 
travel  with  that  grim  body-guard  ?  Surely  they  are  not  rela 
tives  ?  " 

"  They  are  faithful  old  friends  who  followed  me  across  the 
Atlantic, — who  are  invaluable,  and  shield  me  from  impertinent 
annoyances,  to  which  all  women  of  rny  profession  are  more  or 
less  subjected.  The  world  to  which  you  belong, — sometimes 
seems  disposed  to  forget  that  beneath  and  behind  the  paint  and 
powder,  false  hair  and  fine  tragic  airs  and  costumes  they  pay 
to  strangle  time  for  them  at  San  Car/o,  or  Teatro  de1  Piorcn- 
tini,  there  breathes  a  genuine  human  thing; — a  creature  with 
a  true,  pure,  womanly  heart  beating  under  the  velvet,  gauze 


286  INFEL1CE. 

and  tinsel, — and  with  blood  that  now  and  then  boils  under  un 
provoked  and  dastardly  insult.  If  I  were  cross-eyed, — or  had 
been  afflicted  with  small-pox, — or  was  otherwise  disfigured,  1 
should  not  require  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waul ;  but  Madame  Orme 
the  lonely  widow,  deprived  by  death  of  a  father's  or  brother's 
watchful  protection,  finds  her  humble  companions  a  valuable 
barrier  against  presumption  and  insolence.  For  instance  when 
strangers  pleased  with  my  carefully-practised  jeu  de  theatre, 
send  fulsome  notes  and  costly  bijouterie  to  my  lodgings, — pray 
ing  in  return,  a  lock  of  my  hair  or  a  photograph, — my  griffons 
as  you  facetiously  term  them,' — rarely  even  consult  me, — but 
generally  send  back  the  jewels  by  the  bearer,  and  twist  the 
billets  doux  into  tapers  to  light  Mr.  Waul's  pipe.  Sometimes  I 
see  them  ;  often  I  am  saved  the  trouble  of  knowing  anything 
about  the  impertinence." 

Her  voice  was  sweet  and  mellow  as  a  Phrygian  flute  sounding 
softly  on  moonlight  nights  through  acacia  and  oleander  groves, 
— but  the  scorn  burning  in  her  eyes  was  intolerable,  and  before 
it  the  old  man  seemed  to  shrink,  while  a  purplish  flush  swept 
across  his  proud  face. 

"Mrs.  Orme  is  an  anomaly  among  lovely  women,  and  espe 
cially  among  popular  tragediennes,  and  as  I  am  suffering  the 
consequences  of  that  unexpected  fact,  may  I  venture,  in  plead 
ing  for  pardon,  to  remind  her  of  that  grand  prayer  :  *  £e  it  my 
will  that  my  mercy  overpower  my  justice!  Will  she  not  nobly 
forgive  errors  committed  in  ignorance  of  the  peculiar  sensitive 
ness  of  her  nature, — the  mimosa  delicacy  of  her  admirable 
character  ?  " 

Not  until  this  moment  had  the  likeness  between  father  and 
son  shown  itself  so  conspicuously,  and  in  the  handsome  feat 
ures,  and  insinuating,  beguiling  velvet  voice,  she  found  sicken 
ing  resemblances  that  made  her  heart  surge,  until  she  seemed 
suffocating.  Hastily  she  loosened  the  ribbons  of  her  hat,  that 
were  tied  beneath  her  chin. 

"  Is  General  Laurance  pleading  abstractly  for  forgiveness 
for  his  vain  and  presumptuous  sex  ?  " 


INFELICE.  287 

"Solely  for  my  own  audacious  impertinence,  which  had  I 
known  you,  would  never  have  been  perpetrated.  My  rejected 
emeralds  accuse  me.  Pardon  me, — and  I  will  immediately 
donate  them  in  expiatory  offering  to  some  Foundling  Asylum. 
Hospital,  or  other  public  charity." 

"If  I  condone  past  oifences,  it  must  be  upon  condition  that 
they  are  never  repeated,  for  leniency  is  not  one  of  my  charac 
teristics.  Hitherto  we  have  been  strangers ; — you  are  from 
America  the  land  of  my  adoption, — and  have  been  presented 
to  me  as  a  gentleman,  as  the  friend  of  my  physician.  Hence 
forth  consider  that  your  acquaintance  with  me  dates  from  to 
day." 

She  suffered  him  to  take  her  hand,  and  bow  low  over  it, 
breathing  volubly  his  thanks  for  her  goodness, — his  protesta 
tions  of  profound  repentance,  and  undying  gratitude  ;  and  all 
the  while  she  shut  her  eyes  as  if  to  hide  some  approaching 
horror, — and  the  blood  in  her  veins  seemed  to  freeze  at  his 
touch,  gathered  like  icicles  around  her  aching  heart, — turning 
her  gradually  to  stone. 

Taking  his  offered  arm,  they  walked  back  toward  the  spot 
where  she  had  desired  her  companions  to  await  her  return,  and 
as  he  attempted  to  analyze  the  strange  perplexing  expression 
on  her  chiselled  white  face,  he  said  : 

"I  trust  this  delicious  climate  has  fully  restored  your 
health  ?  " 

"  Thank  you.  I  am  as  well  as  I  hope  to  be,  until  I  can  go 
home  to  America,  and  be  once  more  with  my  baby." 

"It  is  difficult  to  realize  that  you  are  a  mother.  How  old  is 
this  darling,  who  steals  so  many  of  your  thoughts?" 

"  Oh — quite  a  large  girl  now  !  able  to  write  me  long  delight 
ful  letters ;  still  in  memory  and  imagination  she  remains  my 
baby, — for  I  have  not  seen  her  for  nearly  seven  years." 

"  Indeed  !  you  must  have  married  when  a  mere  child  ?" 

"  Yes — unfortunately  I  did,  and  lost  my  husband, — became 
a  destitute  widow  when  I  was  scarcely  older  than  my  own 
(laughter  now  is.  Mr.  Waul,  this  is  your  countryman,  Gen 


288  rNFELICE. 

Laurance ;  and  doubtless  you  have  mutual  acquaintances  in 
the  United  States." 

They  proceeded  to  the  carriage,  and  as  he  assisted  her  to 
enter  it,  Gen.  Laurance  asked  : 

"  Will  you  grant  me  the  privilege  of  accompanying  you  next 
week  to  Baiae  ?" 

"I  cannot  promise  that." 

"  Then  allow  me  to  call  upon  you  to-morrow." 

4 'To-morrow  will  be  the  day  for  my  exercises  in  Italian  reci 
tation  and  declamation.  I  am  desirous  of  perfecting  myself 
in  the  delicate  inflections  of  this  sweet  intoxicating  language, 
which  is  as  deliciously  soft  as  its  native  skies,  and  golden  as  its 
Capri  vintage.  I  long  to  electrify  these  fervid  enthusiastic  yet 
critical  Neapolitans,  with  one  of  their  own  favorite  impassioned 
Italian  dramas." 

She  had  taken  off  her  hat  which  pressed  heavily  upon  her 
throbbing  brow,  and  as  the  sun  shone  full  on  the  coil  of  glit 
tering  hair,  with  here  and  there  a  golden  tress  rippling  low  on 
her  snowy  neck  and  ear,  her  ripe  loveliness  seized  the  man's 
senses  with  irresistible  witchery ;  and  the  thought  of  her  re 
appearance  as  a  public  idol, — of  her  exhibition  of  her  wonder 
ful  beauty  to  the  critical  gaze  of  all  Naples, — suddenly  filled 
him  with  jealous  horror,  and  genuine  pain.  As  if  utterly  weary 
and  indifferent,  she  leaned  back,  nestling  her  head  against  the 
cushions  of  the  carriage ;  and  looking  eagerly,  almost  hungrily 
at  her,  Gen.  Laurance  silently  registered  a  vow,  that  the  world 
should  soon  know  her  no  more  as  the  Queen  of  Tragedy, — 
that  ere  long,  the  only  kingdom  over  which  she  reigned,  should 
be  restricted  to  the  confines  of  his  own  heart  and  life. 

Pale  as  marble  she  coolly  met  the  undisguised  ardent  admir 
ation  in  his  gaze,  and  bending  forward  he  asked  pleadingly : 

"  Not  to-morrow  ?     Then  next  day — Mrs.  Orme  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  so,  if  I  chance  to  be  at  home ; — which  is  by  no 
means  certain.  Naples  is  a  sorceress  and  draws  me  hither  and 
thither  at  will.  Gen.  Laurance  I  wish  you  a  pleasant  ride  to 
Baiae,  and  must  bid  you  good-by." 


INF  EL  ICE.  289 

She  inclined  her  head,  smiled  proudly,  and  closed  her  eyes ; 
and  watching  her  as  the  carriage  rolled  away,  he  wondered  if 
mere  fatigue  had  brought  that  ghastly  pallor  to  the  face,  he 
knew  he  was  beginning  to  love  so  madly. 

"  Shall  we  not  return  to  Naples  ?  You  look  weary,  and 
unhappy,"  said  Mr.  Waul,  who  did  not  like  the  expression  of 
the  hopeless,  fixed  blanched  lips. 

"  No — no  !  We  go  to  Avernus.  That  is  the  mouth  of  Hell 
— you  know, — and  to  Hecate  and  all  the  infernal  gods  I  dedi 
cate  this  fateful  day, — and  those  that  will  follow.  It  is  only  the 
storm-beaten  worthless  wreck  of  a  life, — let  it  drift, — on — on — 
down  !  Had  I  ten  times  more  to  lose,  I  would  not  shrink 
back  now ; — I  would  offer  all — all  as  an  oblation  to  Nemesis." 

"  The  gods  have  made  us  mighty  certainly— 
That  we  can  bear  such  things,  and  yet  not  die." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

]EGINA  will  you  touch  the  bell  for  Hattie,  that  she 
may  come  and  carry  away  all  this  breakfast, — which 
I  have  not  touched,  and  the  bare  sight  of  which  sur 
feits  me  ?  From  the  amount  supplied,  one  might  imagine  me 
a  modern  Polyphemus, — or  abjuring  the  classics, — a  second 
old  Mrs.  Philipone, — who  positively  drank  four  cups  of  tea,  at 
the  last  '  Kettledrum.'  How  fervently  she  should  pray  for 
continued  peace  with  China,  and  low  tariff  on  Pekoe  ?  I 
scarcely  know  which  is  the  greater  hardship, — to  abstain  from 
food  when  very  hungry, — or  to  impose  upon  one's  digestive  ap 
paratus  when  it  piteously  protests, — asking  for — '  rest,  only 
rest'  " 

It  was  twelve  o'clock  on  a  bright  cold  day  in  December,  but 
Olga  was  still  in  bed  ;  and  as  she  raised  herself,  crushing  the 
pillows  under  her  shoulder  for  support,  Regina  sewing  beside 
her,  thought  she  had  never  seen  her  look  so  handsome. 


290  INF  ELI  CE. 

The  abundant  ruddy  hair  tossed  about  in  inextricable  confu 
sion,  curled  and  twined,  utterly  regardless  of  established  style, 
making  a  bright  warm  frame  for  the  hazel  eyes  that  seemed 
unusually  keen  and  sparkling, — and  the  smooth  fair  cheeks 
bore  a  rich  scarlet  tinge,  rather  remarkable  from  the  fact  that 
their  owner  had  danced  until  three  o'clock  that  moining. 

"  Instead  of  impairing  your  complexion,  late  hours  seem  to 
increase  its  brilliancy." 

"  Regina  never  dogmatize  ;  it  is  a  rash  and  unphilosophic 
habit  that  leads  you  to  ignore  secondary  causes.  I  have  a  fine 
color  to-day,  ergo  the  '  German  '  is  superior  to  any  of  the  patent 
chemical  cosmetics  ?  No  such  thing.  I  am  tired  enough  in 
body  to  look  just  like  what  I  feel, — that  traditional  Witch  of 
Endor  ; — but  a  stroke  of  wonderful  good  fortune  has  so  elated 
my  spirits,  that  despite  the  fatigue  of  outraged  muscles  and 
persecuted  nerves,  my  exultant  pride  and  delight  paint  my 
cheeks  in  becoming  tints.  How  puzzled  you  look  !  You 
pretty, — sober,  solemn,  demure  blue-eyed  Annunciation  lily, — 
is  there  such  a  thing  among  flowers  ?  If  I  tripped  in  the  meta- 
phoiv — recollect  that  I  am  no  adept  in  floriculture, — only  know 
which  blossoms  look  best  on  a  velvet  bonnet  or  a  chip  hat, — 
and  which  dainty  leaves  and  petals  laid  upon  my  Lucretia  locks, 
make  me  most  resemble  Hebe.  Are  you  consumed  by  curi 
osity  ?  " 

"  Not  quite ;  still  I  should  like  to  know  what  good  fortune 
has  rendered  you  so  happy  ?  " 

"Wait  until  Hattie  is  beyond  hearing.  Come  take  away 
these  dishes,  and  be  sure  to  eat  every  morsel  of  that  omelette, 
for  I  would  not  willingly  mortify  Octave's  culinary  vanity. 
When  you  have  regaled  yourself  with  it,  show  him  the  empty 
dish, — tell  him  it  was  delicious,  and  that  I  send  thanks.  Hattie 
say  to  mamma  I  shall  not  be  able  to  go  out  to-day." 

"  Miss  Regina  I  was  told  to  tell  you  that  you  must  dress  for 
the  rehearsal,  as  Mrs.  Palma  will  take  you  in  the  carriage." 

"  Very  well.     I  shall  be  ready, — if  go  I  must." 

"  Bravo  !     How  gracefully  you  break  to  harness  !     But  when 


INFELICE. 


291 


these  Palmas  hold  the  bit,  it  would  be  idle  to  plunge,  kick,  or 
attempt  to  rim.  They  are  for  rebellious  humanity,  what  Rarey 
was  for  unruly  horseflesh.  Once  no  fiery  colt  of  Ukraine  blood 
more  stubbornly  refused  the  bridle,  than  I  did  ;  but  Erie  Pahna 
smiled  and  took  the  reins, — and  behold  the  metamorphosis  \ 
Did  he  command  your  attendance  at  this  '  Cantata '  ?  " 

"  Not  exactly,  but  he  said  he  would  be  displeased  if  I  failed 
to  comply  with  Mrs.  Brompton's  request,  because  she  was  an 
old  friend ;  and  moreover  that  Professor  Hurtzsel  had  said  they 
really  required  my  voice  for  the  principal  solo." 

"  Did  it  occur  to  you  to  threaten  to  break  down  entirely, — 
burst  into  tears,  and  disgrace  things  generally, — if  forced  to 
sing  before  such  an  audience  ?  Pride  is  the  only  lever  that 
will  move  him  the  billionth  fraction  of  an  inch ;  and  he  would 
never  risk  the  possibility  of  being  publicly  mortified  by  his 
ward's  failure.  He  dreads  humiliation  of  any  kind,  far  more 
than  cholera  or  Asiatic  plague, — or  than  even  the  eternal  loss 
of  that  infinitesimal  microscopic  bit  of  flint, — which  he  is 
pleased  in  facetious  moments  to  call  his  soul." 

"  Of  course  I  could  not  threaten  him  ;  but  I  told  him  the 
distressing  truth,  that  I  am  very  much  afraid  I  shall  fail  if  com 
pelled  to  attempt  a  solo  in  public,  for  I  know  the  audience  at 
Mrs.  Brompton's  will  be  critical,  and  I  feel  extremely  timid." 

"  And  he  dared  you — under  penalty  of  his  everlasting  wrath, 
— to  break  down?  Forbade  you  at  ytnir  peril,  to  allow  your 
frightened  heart  to  beat  the  long-roll,  or  the  tattoo  ?  " 

"  No, — though  very  positive,  he  was  kind,  and  urged  me  to 
exert  my  will ;  reminding  me  that  the  effort  was  in  behalf  of 
destitute  orphans,  and  that  the  charitable  object  should  stimu 
late  me." 

"  Charity  !  Madame  Roland  incautiously  blundered  in  her 
grand  apostrophe, — hastily  picked  up  the  wrong  word  to  fling 
at  the  heads  of  her  brutal  tormentors.  Had  she  lived  in  this 
year  of  grace,  she  would  certainly  have  said  : — '  O  Charity  ! 
how  much  hypocrisy  is  practised  in  thy  name  ! '  How  many 
grim  and  ghastly  farces  are  enacted  in  thy  honor  !  O  Charity ! 


292 


INFELICE. 


heavenly  maid !  what  solemn  shameful  shams  are  masked  be 
neath  thy  celestial  garments  ?  Of  late,  this  fashionable  amuse 
ment  called  '  Chanty '  has  risen  to  the  dignity  of  a  fine  art ; 
and  old-fashioned  Benevolence  that  did  its  holy  work  silently 
and  slyly  in  a  corner, — forbidding  left  hand  to  eavesdrop,  or 
gossip  with  right  hand,  would  never  recognize  its  gaudy,  noisy, 
bustling  modern  sister.  Understand,  it  is  not  peculiar  to  our 
great  city, — is  a  rank  growth  that  flourishes  all  over  America, 
possibly  elsewhere.  At  certain  seasons,  when  it  is  positively 
wicked  to  eat  chicken  salad,  porter-house  steak,  and  boned 
turkey, — and  when  the  thought  of  attending  the  usual  round  of 
parties,  gives  good  people  nightmare, — and  sinful  folks  yet  in 
the  bonds  of  iniquity — a  prospective  claim  to  the  pleasant  and 
enticing  style  of  future  amusements  which  Orcagna  painted  at 
Pisa, — then  Charity  rushes  to  the  rescue  of  ennuied  society  ; 
and  mercifully  bids  it  give  Calico  Balls  for  a  Foundling  Hos 
pital,' — or  The  Musicale  for  the  benefit  of  a  Magdalen  Home, 
— or  a  Cantata  and  Refreshments  to  build  a  Sailor's  Bethel,  or 
help  to  clothe  and  feed  the  destitute,  A  few  ladies  dash 
around  in  open  carriages  and  sell  tickets, — and  somebody's 
daughters  make  ample  capital  for  future  investments,  as  Charity 
Angels, — by  riding,  dancing,  singing  and  eating  in  becoming, 
piquant  costumes, — for  the  '  benefit  of  the  afflicted  poor.'  " 

"  O  Olga  !  how  unjustly  severe  you  are  !  How  exceedingly 
uncharitable  ?  How  can  you  think  so  meanly  of  the  people, 
with  whom  you  associate  intimately  ?  " 

"  I  assure  you  I  am  not  maligning  '  our  set,'  only  refer  to  a 
universal  tendency  of  this  advancing  age.  I  merely  strip  the 
outside  rind,  and  look  at  the  kernel, — and  therefore  I  'see  the 
better  my  dear ' — horrified  little  rustic  Red  Ridinghood !  Now, 
you  are  quite  in  earnest,  and  you  trudge  along  carrying  your 
alms  to  this  poor  old  Grandmother  Charity, — but  before  long 
you  will  have  your  eyes  opened  roughly,  and  learn  as  I  did, 
that  the  dear  pitiful  grandmother  is  utterly  dead  and  gone ;  and 
the  fangs  and  claws  of  the  wolf  will  show  you  which  way  your 
cake  and  honey  went.  A  most  voracious  wolf,  this  same  Public 


INFELICR.  293 

Charity,  and  blessed  with  the  digestion  of  an  ostrich.  But  go 
you  to  the  Cantata,  and  sing  your  best,  and  if  you  happen  to 
have  more  bouquets  thrown  to  you  than  chance  to  fall  at  the 
feet  of  pretty  little  Cecile  Brompton,  you  will  hear  in  the  dis 
tance  a  subdued  growl ; — the  first  note  of  the  lupine  fantasia 
that  inevitably  awaits  you.  Oh !  I  wonder  if  ever  this  green 
earth  knew  a  time  when  hypocrisy  and  cant  did  not  prowl  even 
among  the  young  lambs, — pasturing  in  innocence  upon  the 
'  thousand  hills '  of  God  ?  It  seems  to  me  that  cant  croppec 
out  in  the  first  pair  that  ever  were  born,  and  Cain  has  left  ar 
immense  family.  Cant  everywhere, — in  science  and  in  religion, 
— in  churches  and  in  courts, — Cant  among  lawyers,  doctors, 
preachers, — Cant  around  the  hearth, — Cant  even  around  the 
hearse.  It  is  the  carnival  of  Cant,  this  age  of  ours,  and  heartily 
as  I  despise  it,  I  too  have  been  duly  noosed  and  collared,  and 
taught  the  buttery  dialect, — and  I  am  meekly  willing  to  confess 
myself  '  born  thrall/  of  Cant." 

Regina  smiled  and  shook  her  head,  and  tossing  her  large 
strong  white  hands  restlessly  over  her  pillow,  Olga  continued : 

"  Indeed  I  am  desperately  in  earnest,  and  it  is  a  melancholy 
truth  that  Longfellow  tells  us  :  '  Things  are  not  what  they 
seem.'  You  appear  disinclined  to  believe  that  I  am  one  of  those 
*  whited  sepulchres,'  outwardly  fair  and  comely,  but  filled  with 
unsavory  dust  and  ugly  grinning  skulls  ?  Life  is  a  huge  sham, 
and  we  are  all  masked  puppets,  jumping  grotesquely,  just  as 
the  strongest  hands  pull  the  wires.  Regina  I  have  gone  to 
and  fro  upon  the  earth,  long  enough  to  learn,  that  the  most 
acceptable  present  is  never  labelled  advice ; — nevertheless,  I 
would  fain  warn  your  unsophisticated  young  soul  against  some 
of  the  pitfalls  into  which  I  floundered,  and  got  sadly  bruised. 
Never  openly  defy  or  oppose  your  apparent  destiny,  so  long  as 
it  is  in  the  soft  hands  of  that  willow  wand — your  present  guard 
ian.  Strategy  is  better  than  fierce  assault, — bloodless  cunning 
than  a  gory  pitched  battle  ; — Cambyses'  cats  took  Pelusium 
more  successfully  than  the  entire  Persian  army  could  have 
done, — and  the  head  dresses  Hannibal  arranged  for  his  oxen, 


294  WFELICE. 

delivered  him  from  the  clutches  of  Fabius  and  the  legions.  In 
my  ignorance  of  polite  and  prudent  tactics,  I  dashed  into  the 
conflict,  yelled, — clawed, — (metaphorically  you  understand  ?) 
— and  fought  like  the  Austrians  at  Wagram  ;  but  of  course 
came  out  always  miserably  beaten, — with  trailing  banners,  and 
many  gaping  wounds.  Regina  you  might  just  as  well  stand 
below  the  Palisades,  and  fire  at  them  with  cartridges  of  boiled 
rice,  as  make  open  fight  with  Erie  Palma.  Be  wise  and  assume 
the  appearance  of  submission,  no  matter  how  stubbornly  you 
are  resolved  not  to  give  up.  Don't  you  know  that  Cilician 
geese  outwit  even  the  Eagles  ?  In  passing  over  Taurus,  the 
geese  always  carry  stones  in  their  mouths,  and  thus  by  bridling 
their  gabbling  tongues  they  safely  cross  the  mountain  infested 
with  Eagles,  without  being  discovered  by  their  foes.  I  com 
mend  to  you,  the  strategy  of  silence." 

"  Do  not  counsel  me  to  be  insincere  and  deceitful.  I  con 
sider  it  dishonorable  and  contemptible." 

"  Why  will  you  persist  in  using  words  that  have  been  out  of 
style  as  long  as  huge  hoop-skirts,  coal-scuttle  bonnets, — and 
long-tailed  frock-coats  ?  Once  I  know,  ugly  things  and  naughty 
ways  were  called  out-right  by  their  proper,  exact  names, — but 
you  should  not  forget  that  the  world  is  improving,  and  nous 
avons  change  tout  cela  I 

"  '  We  have  that  sort  of  courtesy  about  us, 
We  would  not  flatly  call  a  fool  a  fool. ' 

I  daresay  some  benighted  denizens  of  the  remote  rural  districts 
might  be  found,  who  still  say  '  tadpole ' — whereas  we  know 
only  that  embryonic  batrachians  exist : — and  it  is  just  possible, 
— that  in  the  extreme  western  wilds  a  poor  girl  might  rashly 
state  that  being  sleepy  she  intended  'going  to  bed,' — which  you 
must  admit  would  be  an  everlasting  stigma  and  disgrace  here, 
— where  all  refined  people  »merely  '  retire  ; ' — leaving  the  curi 
ous  world  to  conjecture  whither, — into  the  cabinet  of  a  diplo 
matist, — the  confession  box  of  a  Cathedral, — the  cell  of  an  an 
chorite, — or  to  that  very  essential  and  comfortable  piece  of 


INFELICE.  295 

household  furniture, — which  at  this  instant  I  fully  appreciate, 
and  which  the  Romans  kept  in  their  cubiculum.  Even  in  my 
childhood,  when  I  was  soaped,  and  rubbed  and  rinsed  by  my 
nurse,  the  place  where  the  daily  ablution  was  performed,  was 
frankly  called  a  bath-tub  in  a  bath-room  ;  but  now  creme  de  la 
creme  know  only  *  lavatory.'  Just  so,  in  the  march  of  culture 
and  reform,  such  vulgarly  nude  phrases  as  '  deceitful '  have 
been  taken  forcibly  to  a  popular  tailor,  and  when  they  are  let 
loose  on  society  again,  you  never  dream  that  you  meet  anything 
but  becomingly  dressed  '  policy '  ; — and  fashionable  '  diplomacy ' 
has  hunted  'insincerity' — that  other  horrid  remnant  of  old-fogy- 
ism, — as  far  away  from  civilization,  as  are  the  lava  beds  of  the 
Modocs.  If  ghosts  have  risible  faculties,  how  Machiayelli  must 
laugh, — watching  us  from  the  Elysian  Fields  ?  Sometimes  si 
lence  is  power ;  try  it." 

"  But  it  seems  to  me  the  line  of  conduct  you  advise  is  cow 
ardly, — and  that,  I  think  I  could  never  be." 

"  It  is  purely  from  ignorance  that  you  fail  to  appreciate  the 
valuable  social  organon  I  want  to  teach  you.  Of  course  you 
have  heard  your  guardian  quote  Emerson  ?  He  is  a  favorite 
author  with  some  who  frequent  the  classic  halls  of  the  *  Cen 
tury,'  but  perhaps  you  do  not  know  that  he  has  investigated 
*  Courage,'  and  thrown  new  light  upon  that  ancient  and  rare 
attribute  of  noble  souls  ?  Now  my  dear,  in  dealing  with  Erie 
Palma,  if  you  desire  to  trim  the  lion's  claws,  and  crimp  his 
mane,  adopt  the  courage  of  silence." 

"  Have  you  found  it  successful  ?  " 

"Unfortunately  I  did  not  study  Emerson  early  in  life,  else  I 
might  have  been  saved  many  conflicts,  and  much  useless  blood 
shed.  Now  I  begin  to  comprehend  Tennyson's  admonition, 
'  Knowledge  comes,  but  wisdom  lingers,'  and  I  generously  offer 
to  economize  your  school-fees,  and  give  you  the  benefit  of  my 
dearly -bought  experience." 

"  Thank  you  Olga ;  but  I  would  rather  hear  about  the  won 
derful  piece  of  good  fortune,  of  which  you  promised  to  tell  me." 

"  Ah — I  had  almost  forgotten.     Wonderful, — glorious  good 


296  INFEL1CE. 

fortune  !  The  price  of  Circassian  skins  has  gone  up,  in  the 
matrimonial  slave-market." 

Regina  laid  aside  her  sewing,  opened  her  eyes  wider,  and 
looked  perplexed. 

"  You  have  not  lived  in  moral  Constantinople  long  enough 
to  comprehend  the  terms  of  traffic  ?  You  look  like  a  stupid 
fawn, — the  first  time  the  baying  of  the  hounds  scares  it  from  its 
quiet  sleep  on  dewy  moss,  and  woodland  violets  !  Oh  you  fair 
— pretty,  innocent  young  thing  !  Why  does  not  some  friendly 
hand  strangle  you  right  now,  before  the  pack  open  on  your 
trail  ?  You  ought  to  be  sewed  up  in  white  silk,  and  laid  away 
safely  under  marble,  before  the  world  soils  and  spoils  you." 

For  a  moment  a  mist  gathered  in  the  bright  eyes  that  rested 
so  compassionately,  so  affectionately  on  the  girlish  countenance 
beside  her,  and  then  Olga  continued  in  a  lighter  and  more 
mocking  tone  : 

"  Can  you  keep  a  secret  ?  " 

"  I  think  so.     I  will  try." 

"  Well  then  prepare  to  envy  me.  Until  yesterday,  I  was 
poor  Olga  Neville,  with  no  heritage  but  my  slender  share  of 
good  looks,  and  my  ample  dower  of  sound  pink  and  white, — 
strawberry  and  cream — flesh,  symmetrically  spread  over  a 
healthy  osseous  structure.  Perhaps  you  do  not  know,  (yet  it 
would  be  remarkable  if  some  gossip  has  not  told  you,) — that 
poor  Mamma  was  sadly  cheated  in  her  second  marriage  ;  and 
after  bargaining  with  Mammon,  never  collected  her  pay, — and 
was  finally  cut  off  with  a  limited  annuity  which  ceases  at  her 
death.  My  own  poor  father  left  nothing  of  this  world's  goods, 
consequently  I  am  unprovided  for.  We  have  always  been  gen 
erously  and  kindly  cared  for, — well  fed  and  handsomely  clothed 
by  Mr.  Erie  Palma, — who — justice  constrains  me  to  say, — in 
all  that  pertains  to  our  physical  well-being,  has  been  almost  lav 
ish  to  both  of  us.  But  for  some  years  I  have  lost  favor  in  his 
eyes, — have  lived  here  as  it  were,  on  sufferance, — and  my  bread 
of  late  has  not  been  any  sweeter  than  the  ordinary  batch  of 
charity  loaves.  Yesterday  I  was  a  pensioner  on  his  bounty, 


INFRLICE.  297 

but  the  god  of  this  world's  riches,  i.e. — Pluto,  in  consideration 
no  doubt  of  my  long  and  faithful  worship  at  his  altars, — has 
suddenly  had  compassion  upon  me,  and  to-day — I  am  prospec- 
tively  one  of  the  richest  women  in  New  York.  Now  do  you 
wonder  that  Circassia  is  so  jubilant  ?  " 

"  Do  you  mean  that  some  one  has  died,  and  left  you  a  for 
tune?" 

"  Oh  no  ! — you  idiotic  cherub  !  No  such  heavenly  blessing 
as  that.  Pluto  is  even  shrewder  than  a  Wall  Street  broker, 
and  has  a  sharp  eye  to  his  own  profits.  I  mean  that  at  last, 
after  many  vexatious  and  grievous  failures,  I  am  promised  a 
most  eligible  alliance, — the  highest  market  price.  Mr.  Silas 
Congreve  has  offered  me  his  real  estate,  his  stocks  of  various 
kinds, — his  villa  at  Newport,  and  his  fine  yacht.  Congratulate 
me." 

"He  gives  them  to  you?  Adopts  and  makes  you  his  heir 
ess?  How  very  good  and  kind  of  him,  and  I  am  so  glad  to 
hear  it." 

"  He  offers  to  marry  me, — you  stupid  dove  !  " 

"Not  that  Mr.  Congreve  who  dined  here  last  week, — and 
who  is  so  deaf?  " 

"  That  same  veritable  Midas.  You  must  know  he  is  not  deaf 
from  age  ; — oh  no  !  Scarlet  fever  when  he  was  teething." 

"  You  do  not  intend  to  marry  him  ?  " 

"  Why  not  ?  Do  you  suppose  I  have  gone  crazy,  and  lost 
the  power  of  computing  rents  and  dividends  ?  Are  people 
ever  so  utterly  mad  as  that  ?  If  I  were  capable  of  hesitating  a 
moment,  I  should  deserve  a  strait-jacket  for  the  remaindei 
of  my  darkened  days.  Why — I  am  reliably  informed  that  his 
property  is  unencumbered  and  worth  at  least  two  millions 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars  !  I  think  even  dear  Mamma, 
who  mother-like  overrates  my  charms,  never  in  her  rosiest 
visions  dreamed  I  could  command  such  a  high  price.  The 
slave  trade  is  looking  up  once  more  ;  threatens  to  grow  brisk, 
in  spite  of  Congressional  prohibition." 

She  sat  quite  erect,  with  her  hands  clasped  across  the  back 


298  INF E  LICE. 

of  her  head ;    a  crimson  spot  burning  on  each  cheek,  and  an 
unnatural  lustre  in  her  laughing  eyes. 

"  Olga  do  you  love  him  ?  " 

"  Now  I  am  sure,  you  are  the  identical  white  pigeon  that 
Noah  let  out  of  the  Ark ;  for  nothing  less  antediluvian  could 
ask  such  obsolete, — such  utterly  dead  and  buried  questions! 
I  love  dearly  and  sincerely, — rich  laces, — old  wines, — fine 
glass, — heavy  silver, — blooded  horses  fast  and  fiery, — large 
solitaires, — rare  camei ; — and  all  these  comfortable  nice  little 
things,  I  shall  truly  honor,  and  tenaciously  cling  to,  'until 
death  us  do  part,'  and  as  Mrs.  Silas  Congreve, — hush  !  Here 
comes  Mamma." 

"  Olga  why  are  you  not  up  and  dressed  ?  You  accepted  the 
invitation  to  '  Lunch '  with  Mrs.  St.  Clare,  and  what  excuse 
can  I  possibly  frame  ?  " 

"  I  have  implicit  faith  in  your  ingenuity,  and  give  you  carte 
blanche  in  the  manufacture  of  an  apology." 

"  And  my  conscience  Olga  ?  " 

"  Oh  dear  ! — Has  it  waked  up  again  ?  I  thought  you  had 
chloroformed  it,  as  you  did  the  last  spell  of  toothache,  a  year 
ago.  I  hope  it  is  not  a  severe  attack  this  time  ?  " 

She  took  her  mother's  hand,  and  kissed  it  lightly. 

"  My  daughter,  are  you  really  sick  ?  " 

"  Very, — Mamma  ;   such  terrible  fits  of  palpitation." 

"I  never  saw  you  look  better.  I  shall  tell  no  stories  for 
you,  to  Mrs.  St.  Clare." 

"  Cruel  Mamma  !  when  you  know  how  my  tender  maidenly 
sensibilities  are  just  now  lacerated — by  the  signal  success  of 
much  patient  manoeuvring  !  Tell  Mrs.  St.  Clare,  that  like  the 
man  in  the  Bible  who  could  not  attend  the  supper,  because  he 
had  married  a  wife, — I  stayed  at  home  to  ponder  my  brilliant 
prospects  as  Madame  Silas  " 

"  Olga  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Palma, — with  a  warning  gesture 
toward  Regina. 

"  Do  you  think  I  could  hide  my  bliss  from  her  ?  She  knows 
the  honor  proffered  me,  and  has  promised  to  keep  the  se'cret." 


INF  ELI  CE.  299 

"  Until  the  gentleman  had  received  a  positive  and  final  ac 
ceptance,  I  should  imagine  such  confidence  premature." 

Mrs.  Palma  spoke  sternly,  and  withdrew  her  fingers  from 
her  daughter's  clasp. 

"  As  if  there  were  even  a  ghost  of  a  doubt,  as  to  the  final  ac 
ceptance  !  As  if  I  dared  play  this  heavy  fish  an  instant,  with 
such  a  frail  line  ?  Ah  Mamma !  don't  tease  me  by  such 
tactics  !  I  am  but  an  insignificant  mouse, — and  you  and  Mr. 
Congreve  are  sudh  a  grim  pair  of  cats,  that  I  should  never 
venture  the  faintest  squeak.  Don't  roll  me  under  your  velvet 
paws,  and  pat  me  playfully, — trying  to  arouse  false  hopes  of 
escape, — when  all  the  while  you  are  resolved  to  devour  me 
presently.  Don't.  I  am  a  wiry  mouse,  proud  and  sensitive, 
and  some  mice  it  is  said,  will  not  permit  insult  added  to  in 
jury." 

"  Regina  are  you  ready  ?  I  shall  take  you  to  Mrs.  Bromp- 
ton's,  and  it  is  quite  time  to  start." 

Mrs.  Palma  looked  impatiently  at  Regina,  and  as  the  latter 
rose  to  get  her  hat  and  wrappings  from  her  own  room,  she  saw 
the  mother  lean  over  the  pillows,  saw  also  that  the  white  arms 
of  the  girl  were  quickly  thrown  up  around  her  neck. 

Soon  after,  she  heard  the  front  door-bell  ring,  and  when  she 
started  down  the  steps,  Olga  called  from  her  room  : 

"  Come  in.  Mamma  has  to  answer  a  note  before  she  leaves 
home.  When  you  go  down,  please  ask  Terry  to  give  a  half- 
bottle  of  that  white  wine  with  the  bronze  seal  to  Octave,  and 
tell  him  to  make  and  send  up  to  me  as  soon  as  possible,  a  wine 
chocolate.  Mrs.  Tarrant's  long  promised  grand  affair  comes 
off  to-night,  and  I  must  build  myself  up  for  the  occasion." 

"  Are  you  feverish,  Olga  ?  Your  cheeks  are  such  a  brilliant 
scarlet  ?  " 

"  Only  the  fever  of  delicious  excitement,  which  all  young 
ladies  of  my  sentimental  temperament  are  expected  to  indulge, 
when  assured  that  the  perilous  voyage  of  portionless  maiden 
hood  is  blissfully  ended  in  the  comfortable  harbor  of  affluent 
matrimony.  Does  that  feel  like  ordinary  fever  ?  ' 


3oo 


INFELICE. 


She  put  out  her  large  well-formed  hand,  and  clasping  it  be- 
ween  her  own,  Regina  exclaimed  : 

"  How  very  cold  !  You  are  ill, — or  worse  still, — you  are 
unhappy.  Your  heart  is  not  in  this  marriage." 

"  My  heart?  It  is  only  an  automatic  contrivance  for  pro 
pelling  the  blood  through  my  system,  and  so  long  as  it  keeps 
me  in  becoming  color,  I  have  no  right  to  complain.  The 
theory  of  heart's  entering  into  connubial  contracts,  is  as  effete 
as — Stahl's  Phlogiston  !  One  of  the  wisest  and  wittiest  of  liv 
ing  authors,  recognizing  the  drift  of  the  age,  offers  to  supply  a 
great  public  need,  by :  '  A  new  proposition  and  suited  to  the 
tendencies  of  modern  civilization, — namely,  to  establish  a  uni 
versal  Matrimonial  Agency,  as  well  ordered  as  the  Bourse  of 
Paris,  and  the  London  Stock  Exchange.  What  is  more  useful 
and  justifiable  than  a  Bourse  for  affairs  ?  Is  not  marriage  an 
affair  ?  Is  anything  else  considered  in  it  but  the  proper  pro 
portions  ?  Are  not  these  proportions  values  capable  of  rise 
and  fall,  of  valuation  and  tariff?  People  declaim  against  mar 
riage  brokers.  What  else,  I  pray  you,  are  the  good  friends, 
the  near  relations  who  take  the  field,  except  obliging,  some 
times  official  brokers  ? '  Now  Regina,  '  M.  Graindorge  '  who 
makes  this  proposal  to  the  Parisian  world,  has  lived  long  in 
America,  and  doubtless  received  his  inspiration  in  the  United 
States.  Hearts  ?  We  modern  belles  compress  our  hearts,  as 
the  Chinese  do  their  feet,  until  they  become  numb  and 
dwarfed ;  and  some  even  roast  theirs  before  the  fires  of  Moloch 
until  they  resemble  human  pdt't  de  foie  gras.  There  are  a 
great  many  valuable  truths  taught  us  in  the  ancient  myths,  and 
for  rugged  unvarnished  wisdom  commend  me  to  the  Scandina 
vian.  Did  you  ever  read  the  account  of  Iduna's  captivity  in 
the  castle  of  Thiassi  in  Jotunheim  ?  " 

"  I  never  did,  and  what  is  more,  I  never  will,  if  it  teaches 
people  to  think  as  harshly  of  the  world,  as  you  seem  to  do." 

"You  sweet,  simple  blue-eyed  dunce!  How  shamefully 
your  guardian  neglects  your  education  !  Never  even  heard  of 
the  Ellewomen  ?  Why — they  compose  the  most  brilliant  so- 


INFELICE. 


301 


ciety,  all  over  the  world.  Iduna  was  a  silly  creature,  with  a 
large  warm  heart,  and  loved  her  husband  devotedly  ;  and  in 
order  to  cure  her  of  this  arrant  absurd  folly  she  was  carried 
away  and  shut  up  with  the  Ellewomen, — very  fair  creatures 
always  smiling  sweetly.  The  more  bitterly  the  foolish  young 
wife  wept,  and  implored  their  pity,  the  more  pleasantly  they 
smiled  at  her ;  and  when  she  examined  them  closely  she  found 
that  despite  their  beauty  they  were  quite  hollow, — were  made 
with  no  hearts  at  all, — and  could  compassionate  no  one.  I 
have  an  abiding  faith  that  they  had  Borgia  hair,  hazel  eyes,  red 
lips,  and  sloping  white  shoulders  just  like  mine.  They  have 
peopled  the  world ;  a  large  colony  settled  in  this  country, — we 
are  nearly  all  Ellewomen  now, — and  you  are  an  ignorant 
wretched  little  Iduna,  minus  the  apples, — and  must  get  rid  of 
your  heart  at  once,  in  order  to  smile  constantly,  as  we  do." 

"Olga  don't  libel  yourself  and  society  so  unmercifully. 
Don't  marry  Mr.  Congreve.  Think  how  horrible  it  must  be  to 
spend  all  your  life  with  a  man  whom  you  do  not  love  !  " 

"I  assure  you,  that  will  form  no  part  either  of  his  programme, 
or  of  mine.  I  shall  have  my  '  societies,'  (charitable  of  course,) 
my  *  Receptions,'  my  daily  drives,  my  '  Luncheons,'  and  box  at 
the  opera  with  an  occasional  supper  at  Delmonico's  ; — and  Mr. 
Congreve  will  have  his  Yacht  affairs,  and  Wall  Street '  corners'  to 
look  after, — and  will  of  course  spend  the  majority  of  his  evenings 
at  that  fascinating  *  Century,' — which  really  is  the  only  thing  that 
your  quartz-souled  Guardian  cherishes  any  affection  for." 

"  But  Mr.  Palma  is  not  married,  and  when  you  are  Mr.  Con 
greve' s  wife,  of  course  instead  of  going  to  his  club,  your  hus 
band  will  expect  to  remain  at-home  with  you." 

"  That  might  be  possible  in  the  old-fashioned  Parsonage 
where  you  imbibed  so  many  queer  outlandish  doctrines, — but 
I  do  assure  you,  we  have  quite  outgrown  such  an  intolerable 
orthodox  system  of  penance.  The  less  married  people  see  of 
each  other  these  days,  the  fewer  scalps  dangle  around  the 
hearthstone.  The  customs  of  the  matrimonial  world  have 
changed  since  that  distant  time  when  sacrificing  to  Juno  as  the 


302 


INFELICE. 


Goddess  of  Wedlock,  the  gall  was  so  carefully  extracted  from 
the  victim  and  thrown  behind  the  altar; — implying  that  in 
married  life  all  anger  and  bitterness  should  be  exterminated. 
If  Tacitus  could  revisit  this  much-civilized  world  of  the  nine 
teenth  century,  I  wonder  if  he  could  find  a  nation  who  would 
tempt  him  to  repeat,  what  he  once  wrote  concerning  the  sanc 
tity  of  marriage  among  the  Germans  ?  '  There  vice  is  not 
laughed  at,  and  corruption  is  not  called  the  fashion.'  Mr. 
Silas  Congreve  is  much  too  enlightened  to  prefer  his  slippers 
at  home,  to  his  place  at  the  club.  As  for  sitting  up  as  a  rival 
to  the  '  Century,' — female  vanity  never  soared  to  so  sublime  a 
height  of  folly  !  and  if  Erie  Palma  were  married  forty  times,  his 
darling  Club  would  still  hold  the  first  place  in  his  flinty  affec 
tions.  It  must  be  a  most  marvellously  attractive  place, — that 
bewitching  t  Century,' — to  magnetize  so  completely  the  iron  of 
his  nature.  I  have  my  suspicion  that  one  reason  why  the  hus 
bands  cling  so  fondly  to  its  beloved  precincts,  is  because  it  cor 
responds  in  some  respects  to  the  wonderful  '  Peacestead '  of  the 
/Esir,  whose  strongest  law  was  that  '  no  angry  blow  should  be 
struck, — and  no  spiteful  word  spoken  within  its  limits.'  Hence 
it  is  a  tempting  retreat  from  the  cyclones  and  typhoons  that 
sometimes  sing  among  a  man's  Lares  and  Penates.  In  view 
of  my  own  gilded  matrimonial  future,  I  reverently  salute  my 
ally — the  '  Century  ! '  There  !  Mamma  calls  you.  Go  trill 
like  a  canary  at  the  Cantata,  and  waste  no  sighs  on  the  smil 
ing  Ellewoman  you  leave  behind  you.  Tell  Octave  to  hurry 
my  wine-chocolate." 

She  drew  the  girl  to  her,  looked  at  her  with  sparkling  merry 
eyes,  and  kissed  her  softly  on  each  cheek. 

When  Regina  reached  the  door  and  looked  back,  she  saw- 
that  Olga  had  thrown  herself  face  downward  on  the  bed,  and 
the  hands  were  clasped  above  the  tangled  mass  of  ruddy  hair. 

During  the  drive,  Mrs.  Palma  was  unusually  cheerful,  almost 
loquacious,  and  her  companion  attributed  the  agreeable  change 
in  her  generally  reticent  manner,  to  maternal  pride  and  pleas 
ure  in  the  contemplated  alliance  of  her  only  child. 


INFELICE. 


303 


No  reference  was  made  to  the  subject,  and  when  they 
reached  Mrs.  Brompton's,  Regina  was  not  grieved  to  learn  that 
the  rehearsal  had  been  postponed  until  the  following  day,  in 
consequence  of  the  sickness  of  Professor  Hurtzsel. 

"  Then  Farley  must  take  you  home,  after  I  get  out  at  Mrs.  St. 
Clare's.  The  carriage  can  return  for  me  about  four  o'clock." 

"That  will  not  be  necessary.  I  wish  to  go  and  see  Mrs. 
Mason,  who  has  been  out  of  town  since  July, — and  I  can  very 
easily  walk.  She  has  changed  her  lodgings." 

"  Have  you  consulted  Erie,  on  the  subject  ?" 

"  No  Ma'am,  but  I  do  not  think  he  would  object." 

"  At  least  it  would  be  best  to  obtain  his  permission,  for  only 
last  week  when  you  stayed  so  long  at  that  floral  establishment, 
he  said  he  should  forbid  your  going  out  alone.  Wait  till  to 
morrow." 

"  To-morrow  I  shall  not  have  time,  and  all  my  studies  are 
over  for  to-day.  Why  should  he  care  ?  He  allows  me  to  go 
to  Mrs.  Mason's  in  the  carriage." 

"It  is  entirely  your  own  affair,  but  my  advice  is  to  consult 
him.  At  this  hour  he  is  probably  in  his  office  ;  drive  down  and 
see  him,  and  if  he  consents,  then  go.  Here  is  Mrs.  St.  Clare's. 
Farley  take  Miss  Orme  to  Mr.  Palma's  office,  and  be  sure 
you  are  back  here  at  half-past  three.  Don't  keep  me  waiting." 

Never  before  had  Regina  gone  to  the  Law-Office,  and  to 
day  she  very  reluctantly  followed  the  unpalatable  advice ;  but 
the  urgency  of  Mrs.  Palma's  manner  constrained  obedience. 
When  the  carriage  stopped,  she  went  in,  feeling  uncomfortable 
and  embarrassed,  and  secretly  hoping  that  her  guardian  was 
absent.  At  a  large  desk  near  the  door,  sat  a  young  man  in 
tently  copying  some  papers,  and  as  the  visitor  entered,  he  rose, 
and  stared. 

"Is  Mr.  Palma  here ? " 

"  He  will  be  in  a  few  moments.     Take  a  seat." 

Hoping  to  escape  before  his  return,  she  said  hastily  : 

"  I  have  not  time  to  wait.  Can  you  give  me  a  pencil  and 
piece  of  paper  ?  I  wish  to  leave  a  note." 


304  INFELICR. 

There  were  two  desks  in  the  apartment,  but  glancing  at 
their  dusty  appearance,  and  then  at  the  dainty  pearl-tinted 
gloves  of  the  stranger,  the  young  man  answered  hesitatingly : 

"You  will  find  writing  materials  on  the  desk  in  the  next 
room.  The  door  is  not  locked." 

She  hurried  in,  sat  down  before  the  desk  where  a  number  of 
papers  were  loosely  scattered,  and  took  up  a  pen  lying  near  a 
handsome  bronze  inkstand. 

How  should  she  commence  ?  She  had  never  written  him  a 
line,  and  felt  perplexed.  While  debating  whether  she  should 
say :  Dear  Mr.  Palma,  or  My  Dear  Guardian, — her  eyes  wan 
dered  half  unconsciously  about  the  apartment,  until  they  were 
arrested  by  a  large  portrait  hanging  over  the  mantlepiece.  It 
was  a  copy  of  the  picture  her  mother  had  directed  painted  by 
Mr.  Harcourt,  and  which  had  been  sent  to  Europe. 

This  copy  differed  in  some  respects  from  the  original  portrait ; 
Hero  had  been  entirely  omitted,  and  in  the  hands  of  the 
painted  girl  were  clusters  of  beautiful  snowy  lilies. 

Surprised  and  gratified  that  he  deemed  her  portrait  worthy  of 
a  place  in  his  office,  she  hastily  wrote  on  a  sheet  of  legal  cap  : 

"  DEAR  MR.  PALMA  : — Having  no  engagements  until  to 
morrow,  I  wish  to  spend  the  afternoon  with  Mrs.  Mason,  who 

has  removed  to  No.  900   East Street,  but    Mrs.    Palma 

advised  me  to  ask  your  permission.  Hoping  that  you  will  not 
object  to  my  making  the  visit,  without  having  waited  to  see 
you,  I  am, 

Very  respectfully 

Your  ward, 

REGINA  ORME." 

Leaving  it  open  on  the  desk,  where  he  could  not  fail  to  see 
it,  she  glanced  once  more  at  the  portrait,  and  hurried  away, 
fearful  of  being  intercepted  ere  she  reached  the  carriage. 

"Drive  to  No.  900  East Street." 

The  carriage  had  not  turned  the  neighboring  corner,  when 
Mr.  Palma  leisurely  approached  his  office  door,  with  his 


INFELICE.  305 

thoughts  intent  upon  an  important  will  case,  which  was  creat 
ing  much  interest  and  discussion  among  the  members  of  the 
Bar,  and  which  in  an  appeal  form,  he  had  that  day  consented 
to  argue  before  the  Supreme  Court.  As  he  entered  the  front 
room,  the  clerk  looked  up. 

"  Stuart,  has  Elliott  brought  back  the  papers  ?  " 

"  Not  yet,  sir.  There  was  a  young  lady  here,  a  moment  ago. 
Did  you  meet  her  ?  " 

"  No.     What  was  her  business  ?" 

"  She  did  not  say.     Asked  for  you,  and  would  not  wait." 

"What  name?" 

"  Did  not  give  any.  Think  she  left  a  note  on  your  desk. 
She  was  the  loveliest  creature  I  ever  looked  at." 

"  My  desk  ?  Hereafter  in  my  absence  allow  no  one  to 
enter  my  private  office.  I  did  not  consider  it  necessary  to 
caution  you,  or  inform  you  that  my  desk  is  not  public  property, 
but  designed  for  my  exclusive  service.  In  future  when  I  am 
out,  keep  that  door  locked.  Step  around  to  Fitzgerald's  and 
get  that  volume  of  Reports  he  borrowed  last  week." 

The  young  man  colored,  picked  up  his  hat  and  disappeared ; 
and  the  lawyer  walked  into  his  sanctum  and  approached  his 
desk. 

Seating  himself  in  the  large  revolving  chair,  his  eyes  fell  in 
stantly  upon  the  long  sheet,  with  the  few  lines  traced  in  a  deli 
cate  feminine  hand. 

Over  his  cold  face  swept  a  marvellous  change,  strangely 
softening  its  outlines  and  expression.  He  examined  the  writing 
curiously,  taking  off  his  glasses  and  holding  the  paper  close  to 
iii.s  eyes  ;  and  he  detected  the  alteration  in  the  "  Dear,"  which 
had  evidently  been  commenced  as  "  My." 

Laying  it  open  before  him,  he  took  the  pen,  wrote  "  my," 
before  the  "  dear,"  and  drawing  a  line  through  the  "  Regina 
Orme,"  substituted  above  it,  "Lily." 

In  her  haste  she  had  left  on  the  desk  one  glove,  and  her 
small  ivory  parte-monnaie^  which  her  mother  had  sent  from 
Rome. 


306  INFELICE. 

He  took  up  the  little  pearl-gray  kid,  redolent  of  Lubin's 
"  violet,"  and  spread  out  the  almost  childishly  small  ringers',  on 
his  own  broad  palm,  which  suddenly  closed  over  it  like  a  vice ; 
then  with  a  half  smile  of  strange  tenderness,  in  which  all  the 
stony  sternness  .of  lips  and  chin  seemed  steeped  and  melted, — 
he  drew  the  glove  softly,  caressingly  over  his  bronzed  cheek. 

Pressing  the  spring  of  the  purse,  it  opened  and  showed  him 
two  small  gold  dollars,  and  a  five  dollar  bill.  In  another  com 
partment,  wrapped  in  tissue  paper  was  a  small  bunch  of  pressed 
violets,  tied  with  a  bit  of  blue  sewing  silk.  Upon  the  inside  of 
the  paper  was  written  : 

"Gathered  at  Agra.     April  8th,  18 — ." 

He  knew  Mr.  Lindsay's  handwriting,  and  his  teeth  closed 
firmly  as  he  refolded  the  paper,  and  put  the  purse  and  glove  in 
the  inside  breast  pocket  of  his  coat.  Placing  the  note  in  an 
envelope,  he  addressed  it  to  "  Erie  Palma,"  and  locked  it  up 
in  a  private  drawer. 

Raising  his  brilliant  eyes  to  the  lovely  girlish  face  on  the 
wall,  he  said  slowly,  sternly : 

"My  Lily, — and  she  shall  be  broken,  and  withered, — and 
laid  to  rest  in  Greenwood, — before  any  other  man's  hand 
touches  hers.  My  Lily, — housed  sacredly  in  my  bosom ; — 
blooming  only  in  my  heart." 


CHAPTER    XX. 

the  carriage  at  the  corner  of  the  square, 
near  which  she  expected  to  find  Mrs.  Mason  located 
in  more  comfortable  lodgings,  Regina  walked  on  until 
she  found  the  building,  of  which  she  was  in  quest,  and  rang  the 
bell.  It  was  situated  in  a  row  of  plain,  unpretending  but  neat 
tenement  houses,  kept  thoroughly  repaired ;  and  the  general 
appearance  of  the  neighborhood  indicated  that  the  tenants 


INFRLICE.  367 

though  doubtless  poor,  were  probably  genteel,  and  had  formerly 
been  in  more  affluent  circumstances. 

The  door  was  opened  by  a  girl  apparently  half-grown,  who 
stated  that  Mrs.  Mason  had  rented  the  basement  rooms,  and 
that  her  visitors  were  admitted  through  the  lower  entrance,  as 
a  different  set  of  lodgers  had  the  next  floor.  She  offered  to 
show  Regina  the  way,  and  knocking  at  the  basement  door,  the 
girl  suddenly  remembered  that  she  had  seen  Mrs.  Mason  visit 
ing  at  the  house,  directly  opposite. 

"Wait  Miss,  and  I  will  run  across  and  call  her." 

While  standing  at  the  lower  door,  and  partly  screened  by  the 
flight  of  steps  leading  to  the  rooms  above,  Regina  saw  a  figure 
advancing  rapidly  along  the  sidewalk, — a  tall  figure  whose 
graceful  carriage  was  unmistakable ;  and  as  the  person  ran  up 
the  steps  of  the  next  house  in  the  row,  and  impatiently  pulled 
the  bell,  Regina  stepped  forward  and  looked  up. 

A  gust  of  wind  just  then  blew  aside  the  thick  brown  veil  that 
concealed  the  countenance,  and  showed  for  an  instant  only,  the 
strongly  marked  yet  handsome  profile  of  Olga  Neville. 

The  door  opened  ;  her  low  inaudible  question  was  answered 
in  the  affirmative,  and  Olga  was  entering,  when  the  skirt  of  her 
dress  was  held  by  a  projecting  nail,  and  in  disengaging  it,  she 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  astonished  countenance  beneath  the 
steps.  She  paused,  leaned  over  the  balustrade,  threw  up  both 
hands  with  a  warning  gesture, — then  laid  her  finger  on  her  lips, 
and  hurried  in,  closing  the  door  behind  her. 

"  The  lady  says  Mrs.  Mason  was  there,  but  left  her  about  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  ago.  What  name  shall  I  give,  when  she 
comes  home  ?  " 

"  Tell  her  Regina  Orme  called,  and  was  very  sorry  she  misled 
seeing  her.  Say  I  will  try  to  come  again  on  Sunday  afterm/v^n, 
if  the  weather  is  good.  Who  lives  in  the  next  house  ?  " 

"  A  family  named  Eggleston.  I  hear  they  sculp  and  paint 
for  a  living.  Good-day  Miss.  I  won't  forget  to  tell  the  old 
lady  you  called." 

Walking  leisurely  homeward,  Regina  felt  sorely  perplexed  in 


308  INFELICE. 

trying  to  reconcile  Olga's  plea  of  indisposition  and  her  linger 
ing  in  bed,  with  this  sudden  appearance  in  that  distant  quarter 
of  the  city,  and  her  evident  desire  to  conceal  her  face,  and  to 
secure  silence  with  regard  to  the  casual  meeting.  Was  Mrs. 
Falma  acquainted  with  her  daughter's  movements,  or  was  the 
girl's  nervous  excitement  of  the  morning,  indirectly  connected 
with  some  mystery,  of  which  the  mother  did  not  even  dream  ? 
That  some  adroitly-hidden  sorrow  was  the  secret  spring  of 
Olga's  bitterness  toward  Mr.  Palma,  and  the  unfailing  source 
of  her  unjust  and  cynical  railings  against  that  society,  into  which 
she  plunged  with  such  inconsistent  recklessness,  Regina  had 
long  suspected ;  and  her  conjecture  was  strengthened  by  the 
stony  imperturbability  with  which  her  guardian  received  the 
sarcasms,  often  aimed  at  him.  Whatever  the  solution,  delicacy 
forbade  all  attempts  to  lift  the  veil  of  concealment,  and  resolv 
ing  to  banish  unfavorable  suspicion  concerning  a  woman,  to 
whom  she  had  become  sincerely  attached,  Regina  directed  her 
steps  toward  one  of  the  numerous  small  parks  that  beautify 
the  great  city,  and  furnish  breathing  and  gambolling  space  for 
the  helpless  young  innocents,  who  are  debarred  all  other  modes 
of  "airing,"  save  such  as  are  provided  by  the  noble  munificence 
of  New  York.  The  day  though  cold,  was  very  bright,  the  sky 
a  cloudless  gray-blue, — the  slanting  beams  of  the  sun  filling  the 
atmosphere  with  gold-dust ;  and  in  crossing  the  square  to 
gain  the  street  beyond,  Regina  was  attracted  by  a  group  of 
children  romping  along  the  walk,  and  laughing  gleefully. 

One  a  toddling  wee  thing,  with  a  scarlet  cloak  that  swept  the 
ground,  and  a  hood  of  the  same  warm  tint  drawn  over  her 
curly  yellow  hair  and  diuipled  round  face,  had  fallen  on  the 
walk,  unheeded  by  her  boisterous  companions,  and  becoming 
entangled  in  the  long  garment  could  not  get  up  again.  Paus 
ing  to  lift  the  little  creature  to  her  feet,  and  restore  the  piece  of 
cake  that  had  escaped  from  the  chubby  hand,  Regina  stood 
smiling  sympathetically  at  the  sport  of  the  larger  children,  and 
wondering  whether  all  those  rosy-cheeked  "  olive  branches  " 
clustered  around  one  household  altar. 


INFELICE. 


309 


At  that  moment  a  heavy  hand  was  placed  on  her  shoulder, 
and  turning  she  saw  at  her  side  a  powerful  man,  thickset  in 
stature,  and  whose  clothing  was  worn  and  soiled.  Beneath  a 
battered  hat  drawn  suspiciously  low,  she  discerned  a  swarthy, 
flushed,  saturnine  countenance,  which  had  perhaps  once  been 
attractive,  before  the  seal  of  intemperance  marred  and  stained 
its  lineaments.  Somewhere,  she  certainly  had  seen  that  dark 
face,  and  a  sensation  of  vague  terror  seized  her. 

"  Regina  it  is  about  time  you  should  meet  and  recognize  me." 

The  voice  explained  all ;  she  knew  the  man  whom  Hannah 
had  met  in  the  churchyard,  on  the  evening  of  the  storm. 

She  made  an  effort  to  shake  off  his  hand,  but  it  closed  firmly 
upon  her,  and  he  asked  : 

"  Do  you  know  who  I  am?" 

"  Your  name  is  Peleg, — and  you  are  a  wicked  man, — an 
enemy  of  my  mother." 

"  The  same,  I  do  not  deny  it.  But  recollect  I  am  also  your 
father." 

She  stared  almost  wildly  at  him,  and  her  face  blanched  and 
quivered  as  she  uttered  a  cry  of  horror. 

"It  is  false  !  You  are  not — you  never  could  have  been  ! 
You — Oh  !  never — never  !  " 

So  terrible  was  the  thought  that  she  staggered,  and  sank  down 
on  an  iron  seat, — covering'  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"  This  conies  of  separating  father  and  child,  and  raising  you 
above  your  proper  place  in  the  world.  Your  mother  taught 
you  to  hate  me,  I  knew  she  would  ;  but  I  have  waited  as  long 
as  I  can  bear  it,  and  I  intend  to  assert  my  rights.  Who  do  you 
suppose  is  your  father?  Whose  child  did  she  say  you  were  ?  " 

"  She  never  told  me, — but  I  know,- — Oh  God  have  mercy 
upon  me  !  You  cannot  be  my  father  !  It  would  kill  me  to  be 
lieve  it !  " 

She  shuddered  violently,  and  when  he  attempted  to  put  his 
hand  on  hers,  she  dre'v  back  and  cried  out,  almost  fiercely  : 

"  Don't  touch  me  !  If  you  dare,  I  will  scream  for  a  police 
man." 


3io  INFELICE. 

"  Very  well,  as  soon  as  you  please,  and  when  he  comes  I  will 
explain  to  him  that  you  are  my  daughter  ; — and  if  necessary  I 
will  carry  you  both  to  the  spot  where  you  were  born,  and  prove 
the  fact.  Do  you  know  where  you  were  born  ?  I  guess  Min 
nie  did  not  see  fit  to  tell  you  that,  either.  Well — it  was  in  that 

charity  hospital  on Street,  and  I  can  tell  you  the  year, 

and  the  day  of  the  month.  My  child,  you  might  at  least  pity, 
— and  not  insult  your  poor  unhappy  father." 

Could  it  be  possible  after  all  ?  Her  head  swam, — her  heart 
seemed  bursting  ; — her  very  soul  sickened,  as  she  tried  to  real 
ize  all  that  his  assertion  implied.  What  could  he  expect  to 
accomplish  by  such  a  claim,  unless  he  intended,  and  felt  fully 
prepared  to  establish  it  by  irrefragable  facts  ? 

"  My  girl,  your  mother  deserted  me  before  you  were  born, 
and  has  never  dared  to  let  you  know  the  truth.  She  is  living 
in  disguise  in  Europe, — under  an  assumed  name,  and  only  last 
week  I  found  out  her  whereabouts.  She  calls  herself  Mrs.  Orme 
now,  and  has  turned  actress.  She  was  born  one,  she  has  played 
a  false  part  all  her  life.  Do  you  think  your  name  is  Orme?  My 
dear  child  it  is  untrue, — and  I,— Peleg  Peterson  am  your  father." 

"No — no  !  My  mother,  my  beautiful — refined  mother  never 
— never  could  have  loved  you  !  Oh  !  it  is  too  horrible  !  Go 
away, — please  go  away  !  or  I  shall  go  mad." 

She  bound  her  hands  tightly  across  her  eyes,  shutting  out 
the  loathsome  face,  and  in  the  intensity  of  her  agony  and  dread, 
she  groaned  aloud.  If  it  were  true,  could  she  bear  it,  and  live  ? 
What  would  Mr.  Lindsay  think,  if  he  could  see  that  coarse  brutal 
man  claiming  her  as  his  daughter  ?  What  would  her  haughty 
guardian  say,  if  he  who  so  sedulously  watched  over  her  move 
ments,  and  fastidiously  chose  her  associates, — could  look  upon 
her  now  ? 

Born  in  a  hospital, — owning  that  repulsive  countenance  there 
beside  her, — as  parent  ? 

Heavy  cold  drops  oozed  out,  and  glistened  on  her  brow,  and 
she  shivered  from  head  to  foot,  rocking  herself  to  and  fro. 

Almost  desperate  as  she  thought  of  the  mysterious  circum- 


INFELICE.  311 

stances  that  seemed  to  entangle  her  mother  as  in  some  inextri 
cable  net, — the  girl  suddenly  started  up,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  It  is  a  fraud,  a  wicked  fraud, — or  you  would  never  have  left 
me  so  long  in  peace.  My  father  was, — must  have  been — a  gen 
tleman, — I  know, — I  feel  it !  You  are — you — Save  me  oh  Lord 
in  heaven, — from  such  a  curse  as  that !  " 

He  grasped  her  arm  and  hissed  : 

"  I  am  poor  and  obscure,  it  is  true,  but  Peterson  is  better  than 
no  name  at  all, — and  if  you  are  not  my  child, — then  you  have 
no  name.  That  is  all ; — take  your  choice." 

What  a  pall  settled  on  earth  and  sky  ?  The  sun  shining  so 
brightly  in  the  west,  grew  black, — and  a  shadow  colder  and 
darker  than  death,  seized  her  soul.  Was  it  the  least  of  alter 
nate  horrors  to  accept  this  man,  acknowledging  his  paternal 
claim,  and  thereby  defend  her  mother's  name  ?  How  the 
lovely  sad  face  of  that  young  mother  rose  like  a  star,  gilding  all 
this  fearful  blackness ;  and  her  holy  abiding  faith  in  her  mother 
proved  a  strengthening  Angel  in  this  Gethsemane. 

Rallying,  she  forced  herself  to  look  steadily  at  her  com 
panion. 

"  You  say  that  your  name  is  Peleg  Peterson  ; — why  did  you 
never  come  openly  to  the  Parsonage  and  claim  me  ?  I  know 
that  my  mother  was  married  in  that  house,  by  Mr.  Hargrove." 

"  Because  I  never  could  find  out  where  you  were  hid  away, 
until  my  aunt  Hannah  Hinton  told  me  the  week  before  the 
great  storm.  Then  she  promised  me  the  marriage  license, 
which  she  had  found  in  a  desk  at  the  Parsonage,  on  condition 
that  I  would  not  disturb  you  ; — as  she  thought  you  were  happy 
and  well  cared  for,  and  would  be  highly  educated, — and  I  was 
too  miserably  poor  to  give  you  any  advantages.  You  know  the 
license  was  burned  by  lightning,  else  I  .would  show  it  to  you." 

"  Proving  that  you  are  my  mother's  legal  husband  ?" 

"Certainly, — else  what  use  do  you  suppose  I  had  for  it." 

"  Oh  no  !     You  intended  to  sell  it.      Hannah  told  me  so." 

"  No  such  thing.  Minnie  does  not  want  to  own  me  now, 
and  I  intended  to  show  the  license  to  the  father  of  the  man,  for 


312  TNFELICE. 

whom  she  deserted  both  you  and  me.  She  has  followed  him  to 
Europe,  though  she  knows  he  is  a  married  man." 

"  It  is  false  !  How  dare  you  !  You  shall  not  slander  her 
dear  name.  My  mother  could  never  have  done  that !  There 
is  some  foul  conspiracy  to  injure  her  ; — not  another  word  against 
her !  No  matter  what  may  have  happened, — no  matter  how 
dark  and  strange  things  look, — she  was  not  to  blame.  She  is 
right, — always  right ; — I  know,  I  feel  it !  I  tell  you — if  the  sun 
and  the  stars, — and  the  very  Arch-angels  in  heaven  accused  her, 
— I  would  not  listen, — I  would  not  believe — no — never  !  She 
is  my  mother, — do  you  hear  me  ?  She  is  my  mother, — and 
God's  own  angels  would  go  astray,  as  soon  as  she  ! " 

She  looked  as  white  and  rigid  as  a  corpse  twelve  hours 
dead, — and  her  large  defiant  eyes  burned  with  a  supernatural 
lustre. 

He  comprehended  the  nature  with  which  he  had  to  deal,  and 
after  a  pause,  said  sullenly  : 

"  Minnie  does  not  deserve  such  a  child,  and  it  is  hard  that 
you,  my  own  flesh  and  blood, — refuse  to  recognize  me.  Regina 
I  am  desperately  poor,  or  I  would  take  you  now,  forcibly  if 
necessary, — and  if  Minnie  dared  deny  my  claim,  I  would  pub 
lish  the  facts  in  a  court  of  justice.  Even  your  guardian  is  de 
ceived, — and  many  things  would  come  to  light,  utterly  disgrace 
ful  to  you, — and  to  your  father  and  mother.  But  at  present  I 
cannot  take  care  of  you, — and  I  am  in  need,  actual  need. 
Will  my  child  see  her  own  father  want  bread  and  clothing,  and 
refuse  to  assist  him  ?  Can  you  not  contribute  something  to 
ward  my  support,  until  I  can  collect  some  money  due  me  ? 
If  you  can  help  me  a  little  now,  I  will  try  to  be  patient,  and 
leave  you-  where  you  are,  in  luxury  and  peace, — at  least  till  I 
can  hear  from  Minnie,  to  whom  I  have  written." 

"  Why  do  you  not  go  at  once  to  my  guardian,  and  demand 
me  ?  " 

"  If  you  wish  it  I  will,  before  sunset.  Come,  I  am  ready. 
But  when  I  do,  the  facts  will  be  blazoned  to  the  world,  and  you 
and  Minnie  and  I, — shall  all  go  down  together  in  disgrace  and 


INFELICE.  313 

ruin.  If  you  are  willing  to  drag  all  the  shameful  history  into 
the  papers,  1  am  ready  now." 

He  rose,  but  she  shrank  away,  and  putting  her  hand  in  her 
pocket,  became  aware  of  the  loss  of  her  purse.  Had  she  been 
robbed,  or  had  she  dropped  \\erporte-monnaie  in  the  carriage? 

"  I  have  not  a  cent  with  me.  I  have  lost  my  purse  since  I 
left  home." 

She  saw  the  gloomy  scowl  that  lowered  on  his  brow. 

"  When  can  you  give  me  some  money  ?     Mind,  it  must  not 

be   known  that   I  am  literally  begging.     I  am  as  proud — my 

daughter, — as  you  are,  and  if  people  find  out  that  I  am  getting 

1ms  from  you,  I  shall  explain  that  it  is  from  my  own  child  1 

receive  aid." 

A  feeble  gleam  of  hope  stole  across  her  soul,  and  rapidly  she 
reflected  on  the  best  method  of  escape. 

"  I  have  very  little  money,  but  to-morrow  I  will  send  you 
through  the  Post  Office,  every  cent  I  possess.  How  shall  I 
address  it  ?  " 

He  shook  his  head. 

"  That  would  not  satisfy  me.  I  want  to  see  you  again, — to 
look  at  your  sweet  face.  Do  you  think  I  do  not  love  my 
child  ?  Meet  me  here,  this  time  to-morrow." 

Each  word  smote  like  pelting  hailstones,  and  he  saw  all  hei 
loathing  printed  on  her  face. 

"  I  have  an  engagement  that  may  detain  me  beyond  this 
hour, — but  if  I  live,  I  will  be  as  punctual  as  circumstances 
permit." 

"  If  you  tell  Palma  you  have  seen  me,  he  must  know  every 
thing,  for  Minnie  has  hired  him  to  help  her  deceive  you  and 
the  world, — and  all  the  while  she  has  kept  the  truth  from  him. 
Shrewd  as  he  is,  she  has  completely  duped  him.  If  he  learns 
you  have  been  with  me,  I  shall  unmask  everything  ;  and  when 
he  washes  his  hands  of  you  and  your  mother,  I  will  take  you 
where  you  shall  never  lay  your  eyes  again  on  the  two,  who 
have  taught  you  to  hate  me, — Minnie  and  Palma.  My  child 
do  you  understand  me  ?  " 


314  INFELICE. 

She  shuddered  as  he  leaned  toward  her,  and  stepping  back, 
she  answered  resolutely  : 

"  That  threat  will  prove  very  effectual.  I  will  meet  you  here, 
bringing  the  little  money  I  have,  and  will  keep  this  awful  day  a 
secret  from  all  but  God,  who  never  fails  to  protect  the  right." 

"  You  promise  that  ?  " 

"  What  else  is  left  me  ?  My  guardian  shall  know  nothing  from 
me,  until  I  can  hear  from  my  mother, — to  whom  I  shall  write 
this  night.  Do  not  detain  me.  My  absence  will  excite  sus 
picion." 

"  Good-by  my  daughter." 

He  held  out  his  hand. 

She  looked  at  him,  and  her  lips  writhed  as  she  tried  to  con 
template  for  an  instant,  the  bare  possibility  that  after  all, — he 
might  be  her  parent.  She  forced  herself  to  hold  out  her  left 
hand  which  was  gloved,  but  he  had  scarcely  grasped  her 
fingers,  when  she  snatched  them  back,  turned  and  darted  away, 
while  he  called  after  her  : 

"  This  time  to-morrow.     Don't  fail." 

The  glory  of  the  world,  and  the  light  of  her  young  life  had 
suddenly  been  extinguished,  and  fearful  spectres  vague  and 
menacing  thronged  the  future.  Death  appeared  a  mere  trifle, 
in  comparison  with  the  life-long  humiliation, — perhaps  disgrace 
— that  was  in  store  for  her  ;  and  bitterly  she  demanded  of 
fate,  why  she  had  been  reared  so  tenderly,  so  delicately, — in  an 
atmosphere  of  honor  and  refinement,  if  destined  to  fall  at  last 
into  the  hands  of  that  coarse  vicious  man  ?  The  audacity  of 
his  claim  almost  overwhelmed  her  faint  hope,  that  some  infam 
ous  imposture  was  being  practised  at  her  expense  ; — and  the 
severity  of  the  shock,  the  intensity  of  her  mental  suffering, 
rendered  her  utterly  oblivious  of  everything  else. 

At  another  time,  she  would  doubtless  have  heard  and  recog 
nized  a  familiar  step  that  followed  her  from  the  moment  she 
quitted  the  square  ;  but  to-day,  almost  stupefied,  she  hurried 
along  the  pavement,  mechanically  turning  the  corners,  looking 
neither  to  right  nor  left. 


INFELICE. 


3*5 


Fifth  Avenue  was  a  long  way  off,  and  it  was  late  in  the  after 
noon  when  she  reached  home,  and  ran  up  to  her  own  room, 
anxious  to  escape  observation. 

Hattie  was  arranging  some  towels  on  the  wash-stand,  and 
turning  around,  exclaimed  : 

"  Good  gracious  Miss  !  You  are  as  white  as  the  coverlid  on 
f.ie  bed  !  I  guess  something  has  happened  ?  " 

"I  am  not  well.  I  am  tired, — so  tired.  Have  they  all  come 
home?" 

"  Yes,  and  there  will  be  company  to  dinner.  Two  gentlemen, 
Terry  said.  Are  you  going  to  wear  that  dress  ?  " 

"  I  don't  want  any  dinner.  If  they  ask  for  me,  tell  Mrs. 
Palma  I  feel  very  badly,  and  that  I  beg  she  will  excuse  me. 
Where  is  Olga  ?  " 

"Busy  trimming  her  overskirt  with  flowers.  You  know  Mrs. 
Tarrant  gives  her  ball  to-night,  and  Miss  Olga  says  she  has  saved 
herself,  rested  all  day,— to  be  fresh  for  it.  Lou-Lou  has  just 
come  to  dress  her  hair.  What  a  pity  you  can't  go  too, — you 
look  quite  old  enough.  Miss  Olga  has  such  a  gay,  splendid 
time." 

"  I  do  not  want  to  go.  I  only  wish  I  could  lie  down  and 
sleep  forever.  Shut  the  door,  and  ask  them  all  please  to  let  me 
alone  this  evening." 

How  the  richness  of  the  furniture,  and  the  elegance  that  pre 
vailed  throughout  this  house,  mocked  the  thread-bare  raiment 
and  poverty-stricken  aspect  of  the  man  who  threatened  to  drag 
her  down  to  his  own  lower  plane  of  life  and  association  ?  Her  in 
nate  pride,  and  her  cultivated  fondness  for  all  beautiful  objects, 
rebelled  at  the  picture  which  her  imagination  painted  in  such 
sombre  hues, — and  with  a  bitter  cry  of  shame  and  dread,  she 
bowed  her  head  against  the  marble  mantlepiece. 

For  many  years  she  had  known  that  some  unfortunate  cloud 
hung  over  her  own,  and  her  mother's  history,  but  faith  in  the 
latter,  and  a  perfect  trust  in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  Mr. 
Hargrove,  had  encouraged  her  in  every  previous  hour  of  dis 
quiet  and  apprehension.  Until  to-day,  the  positive  and  hideous 


3i6  INF  ELI  CE. 

ghoul  of  disgrace,  had  never  actually  confronted  her,  and  with 
the  intuitive  hopefulness  of  youth,  she  had  waved  aside  all  fore 
bodings,  believing  that  at  the  proper  time,  her  mother  would  sat 
isfactorily  explain  the  necessity  for  the  mystery  of  her  conduct. 

Was  Mr.  Lindsay  acquainted  with  some  terrible  trouble  that 
threatened  her  future,  when  in  bidding  her  farewell  he  had  said 
he  would  gladly  shield  her, — were  it  possible,— from  trials,  that 
he  foresaw  would  be  her  portion  ?  » 

Did  he  know  all,  and  would  he  love  her  less,  if  that  bold  bad 
man  should  prove  his  paternal  claim  to  her  ?  Her  father  !  As 
she  tried  to  face  the  possibility,  it  was  with  difficulty  that  she 
smothered  a  passionate  cry, — and  throwing  herself  across  the 
*bot  of  the  bed,  buried  her  face  in  her  hands. 

If  she  could  only  run  away  and  go  to  India,  where  Mr. 
Lindsay  would  shield,  pity,  and  love  her.  How  gratefully  she 
thought  of  him  at  this  juncture, — how  noble,  tender  and  gener 
ous  he  had  always  been  ;  what  a  haven  of  safety  and  rest  his 
presence  would  be  now  ? 

As  a  very  dear  brother  she  had  ever  regarded  him,  for  her 
affection  though  intense  and  profound,  was  as  entirely  free  from 
all  taint  of  sentimentality,  as  that  which  she  entertained  for  his 
mother  ;  and  her  pure  young  heart  had  never  indulged  a  feeling 
that  could  have  colored  her  cheek  with  confusion,  had  the 
world  searched  its  recesses. 

Were  Douglass  accessible,  she  would  unhesitatingly  have 
sprung  into  his  protecting  arms,  as  any  suffering  young  sister 
might  have  done,  and  fully  unburdening  her  soul,  would  have 
sought  brotherly  counsel ;  but  in  his  absence,  to  whom  was  it 
possible  for  her  to  turn  ? 

To  her  guardian  ?  As  she  thought  of  his  fastidious  over 
weening  pride, — his  haughty  scorn  of  everything  plebeian, — his 
detestation  of  all  that  appertained  to  the  ranks  of  the  ill-bred,— 
a  keen  pang  of  almost  intolerable  shame  darted  through  her 
heart,  and  a  burning  tide  surged  over  her  cheeks,  painting  them 
fiery  scarlet.  Would  he  accord  her  the  shelter  of  his  roof, 
wer  j  he  aware  of  all  that  had  occurred  that  day  ? 


INFELICE.  317 

She  started  up,  prompted  by  a  sudden  impulse  to  seek  him 
and  divulge  everything  ;  to  ask  how  much  was  true,  to  demand 
that  he  would  send  her  at  once  to  her  mother. 

Perhaps  he  could  authoritatively  deny  that  man's  statements, 
and  certainly  he  was  far  too  prudent  to  assume  guardianship  of 
a  girl,  whose  real  parentage  was  unknown  to  him. 

Implicit  confidence  in  his  wisdom  and  friendship,  and  earnest 
gratitude  for  the  grave  kindness  of  his  conduct  toward  her, 
since  she  became  an  inmate  of  his  house,  had  gradually  dis 
placed  the  fear  and  aversion  that  formerly  influenced  her 
against  him  ;  and  just  now,  the  only  comfort  she  could  extract 
from  any  quarter,  arose  from  the  reflection  that  in  every  emerg 
ency  Mr.  Palma  would  protect  her  from  harm  and  insult,  until 
he  could  place  her  under  her  mother's  care. 

Two  years  of  daily  association  had  taught  her  to  appreciate 
the  sternness  and  tenacity  of  his  purpose,  and  his  stubborn  iron 
will,  so  often  dreaded  before,  now  became  a  source  of  consola 
tion,  a  tower  of  refuge  to  which  in  extremity  she  could  retreat. 

But  if  she  were  indeed  the  low  born  girl,  that  man  had  dared 
to  assert, — and  Mr.  Palma  should  learn  that  he  had  been  de 
ceived, — how  could  she  ever  meet  his  coldly  contemptuous 
eyes  ? 

Some  one  tapped  at  the  door,  but  she  made  no  response, 
hoping  she  might  be  considered  asleep.  Mrs.  Palma  came 
in,  groping  her  way. 

"  Why  have  you  not  a  light  ?  ' 

"  I  did  not  need  one.     I  only  wanted  to  be  quiet." 

"Where  are  the  matches  ?" 

"  On  the  mantlepiece." 

Mrs.  Palma  lighted  the  gas,  then  came  to  the  bed. 

"  Regina  are  you  ill, — that  you  obstinately  absent  yourself, 
when  you  know  there  is  company  to  dinner  ?  " 

"  I  feel  very  badly  indeed,  and  I  hoped  you  would  excuse 
me." 

"  Have  you  fever?  You  seemed  very  well  when  I  parted 
from  you,  at  Mrs.  St.  Clare's  door." 


318  INF E  LICE. 

"  No  fever  I  think,  but  I  felt  unable  to  go  down  stairs.  I 
shall  be  better  to-morrow." 

"Erie  desired  me  to  say  that  he  wishes  to  see  you  this  even 
ing,  and  you  must  come  down  to  the  library  about  nine 
o'clock.  He  has  gone  to  his  office,  and  you  know  he  will  be 
displeased  if  you  fail  to  obey  him." 

"Please  Mrs.  Palma,* — tell  him  I  am  not  able.  Ask  him 
to  excuse  me  this  evening.  Intercede  for  me,  will  you  not  ?"  ' 

"  Oh  !  I  never  interfere  when  Erie  gives  an  order.  Beside, 
I  shall  not  see  him  again  before  midnight.  I  am  going  with 
Olga  to  Mrs.  Tarrant's,  and  must  leave  home  quite  early,  be 
cause  I  promised  to  call  for  Melissa  Gardner  and  chaperone 
her.  Of  course  she  will  not  be  ready,  young  ladies  never  are, 
— and  we  shall  have  to  wait.  It  is  only  eight  o'clock  now, — 
and  an  hour's  sleep  will  refresh  you.  I  will  direct  Hattie  to 
call  you,  when  your  guardian  comes  in.  Do  you  require  any 
medicine  ?  You  do  look  very  badly." 

"Only  rest,  I  think.  Can't  you  persuade  Mr.  Palma  to  go 
to  the  party,  or  ball,  or  whatever  it  may  be  ?  " 

"  He  has  promised  to  drop  in,  toward  the  close  of  the  even 
ing  and  escort  us  home.  Quite  a  compliment  to  Mrs.  Tar- 
rant,  for  Erie  rarely  deigns  to  honor  such  entertainments  ; 
but  her  husband  is  a  prominent  lawyer,  and  a  college  friend  of 
Erie's.  Good-night." 

She  went  out,  closing  the  door  softly,  and  Regina  felt  more 
desolate  than  ever.  Was  Mr.  Palma  displeased,  because  she 
had  gone  visiting  without  waiting  for  his  consent  ?  If  she  had 
been  more  patient,  might  not  this  fearful  discovery  have  been 
averted  ?  Was  her  sorrow  part  of  the  wages  of  her  disobedi 
ent  haste  ? 

What  had  become  of  her  purse  ?  How  could  she  without 
exciting  suspicion,  obtain  the  money  she  had  so  positively 
promised  ? 

She  rang  the  bell,  and  sent  Hattie  to  request  Farley  to  ex 
amine  the  carriage,  and  see  if  she  had  not  dropped  her  porte- 
monnaie  into  some  of  its  crevices.  It  was  a  long  time  before 


INFELICE. 


319 


the  servant  returned,  alleging  in  excuse  that  she  had  been  de 
tained  to  assist  in  dressing  Miss  Olga.  Farley  had  searched 
everywhere,  and  could  not  find  the  purse. 

Hattie  hurried  away  to  Mrs.  Palma,  and  Regina  unlocked 
a  small  drawer  of  her  bureau,  and  took  out  what  remained  of 
her  semi-annual  allowance  of  pocket  money.  She  counted  it 
carefully,  but  found  only  thirteen  dollars. 

If  she  could  have  recovered  her  porte-monnaie  she  would 
have  had  twenty  dollars  to  offer,  and  even  that,  seemed  mock 
ingly  insufficient, — as  the  price  of  silence,  of  temporary  escape 
from  humiliation. 

What  could  she  do  ?  She  had  never  asked  a  cent  from  her 
guardian,  and  the  necessity  of  appealing  to  him,  was  inexpress- 
ioly  mortifying  ;  but  to  whom  could  she  apply  ? 

"  '  But  Solomon  in  all  his  glory,  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of 
these  ' — society  tiger  lilies." 

The  door  swung  wide  open,  and  as  she  spoke  Olga  seemed 
to  swim  into  the  room,  so  quick  yet  noiseless  was  her  entrance. 

At  the  sound  of  her  voice,  Regina  dropped  the  money  back 
into  the  drawer,  and  turned  to  inspect  the  elegant  toilette,  which 
consisted  of  gold-colored  silk  and  Mechlin  lace, — rich  yellow 
roses  with  sulphurous  hearts, — and  a  very  complete  set  of 
topaz,  which  flashed  amber  rays  over  the  neck,  ears  and  arms 
of  the  wearer.  With  her  brilliant  complexion,  sparkling  eyes, 
and  hair  elaborately  powdered  with  gold  dust,  she  seemed  a 
vision  of  light,  at  whom  Regina  gazed  with  unfeigned  admira 
tion. 

"Beautiful,  Olga ;— beautiful." 

"  The  textile  fabrics, — the  silk  and  lace  ?  Or  the  human 
framework,  the  flesh  and  blood  machine  that  serves  as  lav- 
figure  to  show  off  the  statuesque  folds, — the  creamy  waves  of 
costly  Mechlin, — the  Persian  roses, — and  expensive  pebbles  ?  " 

"  Both.  The  dress,  and  the  wearer.  I  never  saw  you  look 
so  well." 

"  Thanks.  Behold  the  result  of  the  morning's  self-denial, — 
of  a  day  passed  quietly  in  bed, — with  only  the  companionship 


320 


INFELICE. 


of  pillows  and  dreams.  I  was  forced  to  choose  between  Mrs. 
St.  Clare's  'Lunch,'  and  Mrs.  Tarrant's  'Crush,' — 'not  that  I 
love  Caesar  less,  but  that  I  love  Rome  more  ; ' — and  the  suc 
cess  of  my  strategy  is  brilliant.  Am  I  not  the  complete  im 
personation  of  Sunshine  ?  How  deadly  white  and  chill  you 
look  !  Come  closer  and  warm  yourself  in  my  glorious  rays. 
Do  you  scout  oneiromancy  as  a  heathenish  fable  ?  To-day  I 
unexpectedly  became  a  convert  to  its  sublime  secrets.  After 
you  and  Mamma  deserted  me  for  Cantata  and  Luncheon,  I  fell 
into  a  heavy  sleep,  and  dreamed  that  1  was  Danae,  with  a  mist 
of  gold  drizzling  over  me  ; — and  lo  !  \vhen  I  began  to  dress 
this  evening,  my  dazzled  eyes  beheld  these  superb  topaz  gems. 
*  Compliments  of  Mr.  Erie  Palma,  who  thought  they  would 
harmonize  with  the  gold-colored  silk,  and  ordered  them  for  the 
occasion.'  So  said  the  card  lying  on  the  velvet  case  !  Do  you 
wonder  if  the  world  is  coming  to  its  long-predicted  end  ?  Not 
at  all ; — merely  the  close  of  Olga  Neville's  career  ; — the  sun  of 
my  maidenhood  setting  in  unexpected  splendor.  Do  you  un 
derstand  that  scriptural  paradox  : — '  To  him  that  hath,  shall  be 
given,  but  from  him  that  hath  not,  shall  be  taken,'  etc..  etc.  ? 
Once  when  I  was  better  than  I  am  now,  and  studied  my  Bible, 
it  puzzled  me  ;  now  I  know  it  means  that  stiff-necked  Olga  Ne 
ville  finds  no  favor  in  Mr.  Palma's  eyes ;  but  the  obedient,  and 
amiable,  prospective  Mrs.  Silas  Congreve  shall  be  furnished 
with  gewgaws,  which  very  soon  she  will  possess  in  abundance, 
— and  to  spare.  Just  now,  Mamma  gave  me  the  delight 
ful  intelligence,  that  having  been  informed  of  my  intention  to 
trade  myself  off  for  stocks  and  brown-stone-fronts,  her  very 
distinguished  and  magnanimous  stepson  signified  his  appro 
bation  by  announcing  his  determination  to  settle  ten  thousand 
dollars  on  this  Lucre tia  Borgia  head,  upon  the  day  when  it 
wears  a  bridal  veil." 

All  this  was  uttered  volubly,  as  if  she  feared  interruption ; 
and  she  stood  surveying  her  brilliant  image  in  the  mirror, — 
shaking  out  the  silk  skirt, — looping  the  lace,  arranging  the 
rose  leaves,  and  turning,  so  as  to  catch  her  profile  reflection. 


IN  FELICE.  321 

Regina  readily  perceived  that  she  adopted  this  method   of 

ignoring  the  casual  meeting  in  East Street,  and  resolved 

to  tacitly  accept  the  cue ;  but  before  she  could  frame  a  reply, 
Olga  hurried  on : 

"  Were  you  really  sick  and  unable  to  dine,  or  are  you  prac 
tising  the  first  steps, — the  initial  measure  of  that  policy  sys 
tem,  so  cordially  commended  to  your  favorable  regard  ?  You 
missed  an  unusually  good  dinner.  Octave  seems  to  have  days 
of  culinary  inspiration,  and  this  has  been  one.  The  turbot  a 
la  creme  was  fit  for  Lucullus, — the  noyeau-flavored  gauffres 
as  crisp  as  criticism,  as  light  as  one  of  Taglioni's  movements, 
— the  marbled  glaces  simply  perfect.  But  when  your  chair  re 
mained  vacant,  your  guardian  darkened  like  a  thunder-cloud  in 
an  August  sky, — and  Roscoe, — poor  Elliott  Roscoe — looked 
precisely  as  I  imagine  a  hungry  wolf  feels, — when  crouching 
to  catch  a  tender  ewe  lamb,  he  finds  that  the  watchful  shepherd 
has  safely  locked  it  in  the  fold.  Evidently  he  believes  that 
you  and  Erie  Palma  have  conspired  to  starve  him  out,  and 
really  he  is  ludicrously  irate.  Don't  trifle  with  his  expanding 
affections, — they  are  not  quite  fledged  yet, — and  are  easily 
bruised.  Deal  with  him  kindly, — he  is  better  than  his  cousin, 
better  than  any  of  us.  What  have  you  done,  to  render  him  so 
unmanageable?" 

"  I  have  not  seen  Mr.  Roscoe  for  a  week." 

'"  Certainly  he  has  seen  you  in  much  less  time, — he  imagines 
as  recently  as  this  afternoon  ;  but  appearances  are  desperately 
deceitful,  and  our  fancy  often  manufactures  likenesses.  In 
this  world  of  fleeting  shadows,  we  are  often  called  upon  to  re 
ject  the  evidence  of  all  five  of  the  senses, — and  what  mad 
ness,  what  culpable  folly  to  credit  that  of  mere  treacherous 
s  ;ht  ?  Shall  I  tell  Elliott  that  he  was  dreaming,  and  did  not 
s-*e  you  ?" 

"  I  have  no  message  for  him.  That  he  may  have  seen  me 
sometime  to-day,  walking  upon  the  street,  is  quite  possible, — - 
but  certainly  of  no  consequence.  Your  bracelet  has  become 
unfastened." 

14* 


322  INFELICE. 

She  bent  down  to  clasp  the  topaz  crescent,  and  Olga  laid 
her  hand  on  the  girl's  shoulder. 

"  Something  pains  you  very  much, — and  your  face  has  not 
yet  learned  the  great  feminine  art  of  masking  misery  in  smiles, 
and  burying  it  in  dimples.  Mind  dear,  I  do  not  ask,  I  do  not 
wish  to  know  what  your  hidden  fox  is, — preying  so  ravenously 
upon  your  vitals.  Sooner  or  later,  the  punishment  of  the 
Spartan  thief  overtakes  us  all,  and  after  a  while  you  will  learn 
to  bear  the  gnawing  as  gayly  as  I  do.  I  don't  want  to  know 
your  secret  wound,  I  should  only  lacerate  it  with  my  callous 
policy  handling, — only  torment  you  by  pouring  into  its  gaping 
mouth  the  vitriol  of  my  fashionable  worldly  philosophy, — 
uhich  consumes  what  it  touches.  How  I  wish  stupid  society 
would  stand  aside  and  let  me  do  you  a  genuine  kindness ; — • 
open  your  blue  veins,  and  let  out  gently — slowly — all  the 
pangs  and  throbs.  Dear, — it  would  be  a  blessing,  like  that 
man  in  the  East — who  stabbed  his  devoted  wife — at  her  re 
quest,  because  he  loved  her  and  wished  to  put  her  at  rest ; 
but  something  very  blind  indeed,  and  which  under  the  cloak  of 
Law  mocks  and  outrages  justice, — would  blindly  hang  me  ! 
This  is  the  age  of  Law  ; — even  miracles  are  severely  forbidden, 
and  if  the  herd  of  Gadarene  swine  had  miraculously  perished 
in  this  generation  and  country,  our  Lord  and  His  disciples 
would  have  inevitably  been  sued  for  damages.  Don't  you 
know  that  Erie  Palma  would  have  been  engaged  for  the  prose 
cution  ?  Yes — Mamma !  quite  ready,  and  coming.  Go  to 
sleep  snow-drop,  and  dream  that  you  are  like  me,  a  topaz-be 
dizened  odalisque  swimming  in  sunshine." 

She  stooped,  kissed  the  girl  softly  on  both  cheeks,  and  looked 
tenderly,  pityingly  at  her;  then  suddenly  gathered  her  close  to 
her  heart, — holding  her  there  an  instant,  as  if  to  shelter  her 
from  some  impending  storm. 

"  If  you  love  your  mother,  and  she  loves  you, — run  away 
now  and  join  her,  before  the  chains  are  tightened.  Your 
guardian  is  setting  snares  ; — little  white  rabbit  flee  for  your 
life,  while  escape  is  possible." 


INFELICE. 


323 


She  floated  away  like  some  dazzling  gilded  cloud,  and  a  mo 
ment  later,  her  peculiarly  light  merry  laugh  rang  through  the 
hall  below,  as  she  ran  down  to  join  her  mother. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

|NABLE  to  throw  off  the  load  of  painful  apprehension 
that  weighed  so  heavily  on  her  heart,  Regina  derived 
some  consolation  from  the  reflection  that  she  was  en 
tirely  alone  in  the  house,  and  could  at  least  escape  scrutiny 
and  curious  criticism ;  for  she  hoped  that  Mr.  Palma,  forget 
ting  her,  would  go  directly  from  his  office  to  Mrs.  Tarrant's, — 
allowing  her  a  reprieve  until  morning.  During  the  second  year 
of  her  residence  beneath  his  roof,  she  had  at  his  request  taken 
her  breakfast  with  him, — sitting  at  the  head  of  the  table,  where 
Mrs.  Palma  presided  at  all  other  times.  Olga  and  her  mother 
generally  slept  quite  late,  and  consequently  Regina  now  looked 
forward  with  dread  to  the  tete-a-tete,  awaiting  her  next  morning. 

A  few  days  subsequent  to  the  Sunday  afternoon  on  which 
her  guardian  had  so  unexpectedly  accompanied  her  to  church, 
she  had  been  pleasantly  surprised  by  finding  in  the  library  a 
handsome  Mason  &  Hamlin  parlor  organ ;  on  which  lay  a  slip 
of  paper,  expressing  Mr.  Palma' s  desire  that  she  would  con 
sider  it  exclusively  hers, — and  sometimes  play  upon  it  for  him. 
But  an  unconquerable  timidity  and  repugnance  to  using  the  in 
strument  when  he  was  at  home,  had  prevented  a  compliance 
with  the  request,  which  was  never  repeated. 

To-night  the  thought  of  the  organ  brought  dear  and  comfort 
ing  memories,  and  feeling  quite  secure  from  intrusion  she  went* 
ilown  to  the  library.  As  usual  the  room  was  bright  and  com 
fortable  as  gas  and  anthracite  could  make  it,  and  failing  to  ob 
serve  a  sudden  movement  of  the  curtains  hanging  over  the 


324  INFELICE. 

recess  behind  the  writing  desk,  Regina  entered,  closed  the  door 
and  walked  up  to  the  glowing  grate. 

Beneath  her  mother's  portrait,  sat  the  customary  floral  offer 
ing,  which  on  this  occasion  consisted  of  double  white  and  blue 
violets, — and  standing  awhile  on  the  hearth,  the  girl  gazed  up 
at  the  picture  with  mournful  longing  tenderness.  Could  that 
proud  lovely  face  ever  have  owned  as  husband,  the  coarser, 
meaner,  and  degraded  clay,  who  that  afternoon  had  dared  with 
sacrilegious  presumption  to  speak  of  her  as  "  Minnie  "  ? 

What  was  the  mystery, — and  upon  whom  must  rest  the 
blame, — possibly  the  life-long  shame  ? 

"Not  you,  dear  sad-eyed  mother.  Let  the  whole  world 
condemn,  deride, — and  despise  us, — but  only  your  own  lips 
shall  teach  me  to  doubt  you.  Everything  else  may  crumble 
beneath  me, — all  may  drift  away;  but  faith  and  trust  in 
mother  shall  stand  fast — as  Jacob's  ladder,  linking  me  with  the 
angels  who  will  surely  come  down  its  golden  rounds  and  com 
fort  me.  Oh,  mother !  the  time  has  come  when  you  and  I 
must  clasp  hands  and  fight  the  battle  together ; — and  God  will 
be  merciful  to  the  right." 

Standing  there  in  her  blue  cashmere  dress,  relieved  by  dainty 
collar  and  cuffs  of  lace,  she  seemed  indeed  no  longer  a  young 
almost  childish  girl, — but  one  who  had  passed  the  threshold 
and  entered  the  mysterious  realm  of  early  womanhood. 

Rather  below  than  above  medium  height,  her  figure  was 
exquisitely  moulded,  and  the  beautiful  head  was  poised  on  the 
shoulders  with  that  indescribable  proud  grace,  one  sometimes 
sees  in  perfect  marble  sculpture.  But  the  delicate  woful 
CEnone  face,  as  white  and  gleaming  under  its  shining  coil  of 
ebon  hair,  as  a  statue  carved  from  the  heart  of  Lygdos, — how 
shall  mere  words  ever  portray  its  peculiar  loveliness,  its  faultless 
purity  ?  Unconsciously  she  had  paused  in  the  exact  position  se 
lected  for  that  beautiful  figure  of  "Faith"  which  Palmer  has 
given  to  the  world  ;  and  standing  with  drooping  clasped  hands, 
and  uplifted  eyes  gazing  upon  her  mother's  portrait,  as  the 
"Faith"  looks  to  the  lonely  cross  above  her, — the  resemblance 


INFELICE.  325 

in  form  and  features  was  so  striking,  that  all  who  have  studied 
that  exquisite  marble,  can  readily  recall  the  countenance  of  the 
girl  in  the  library. 

Turning  away,  she  opened  the  organ,  drew  out  the  stops 
and  began  to  play. 

As  the  soft  yet  sacredly  solemn  strains  rolled  through  the 
long  room,  hallowed  associations  of  the  old  Parsonage  life 
floated  up,  clustering  like  familiar  faces  around  her.  Once 
more  she  heard  the  cooing  of  ringdoves  in  the  honeysuckle, 
and  the  loved  voices,— now  silent  in  death, — or  far  far  away 
among  the  palms  of  India. 

"  Cast  thy  burden  on  the  Lord,"  had  been  one  of  their  favor 
ite  selections  at  V ,  and  now  hoping  for  comfort  she  sang  it. 

It  was  the  first  time  she  had  attempted  it  since  the  evening 
before  the  storm,  when  Mr.  Lindsay  had  sung  it  with  her,  while 
Mr.  Hargrove  softly  hummed  the  base,  as  he  walked  up  and 
down  the  verandah,  with  his  arm  on  his  sister's  shoulder. 

How  many  holy  memories  rushed  like  a  flood  over  her  heart 
and  soul,  burying  for  a  time  the  bitter  experience  of  to-day  ! 

Unable  to  conclude  the  song,  she  leaned  back  in  her  chair, 
and  gave  way  to  the  tears  that  rolled  swiftly  down  her  cheeks. 

So  wan  and  hopeless  was  her  face,  that  Mr.  Palma  watching 
her  from  the  curtained  alcove,  came  quickly  forward. 

He  was  elegantly  dressed  in  full  evening  toilette,  and  throw 
ing  his  white  gloves  on  the  table,  approached  his  ward. 

At  sight  of  him  she  started  up,  and  hastily  wiped  away  the 
tears  that  obstinately  dripped  despite  her  efforts. 

"  Oh  Sir  !  I  hoped  you  would  forget  to  come  home,  and  would 
go  to  Mrs.  Tarrant's.  I  did  not  know  you  were  in  the  house." 

"  I  never  forget  my  duties,  and  though  I  am  going  to  Mrs. 
Tarrant's  after  a  while,  I  attend  to  'business  before  pleasure;' 
— it  has  been  my  life-long  habit." 

His  new  suit  of  black,  and  the  white  vest  and  cravat  were 
singularly  becoming  to  him.  He  was  aware  of  the  fact ;  and 
even  in  the  midst  of  her  anxiety  and  depression,  Regina  thought 
she  had  never  seen  him  look  so  handsome. 


326  INF E LICE. 

11 1  wish  to  ask  you  a  few  questions.  Was  it  actual  bodily 
sickness,  physical  pain — that  kept  you  in  your  room  during 
dinner,  at  which  I  particularly  desired  your  attendance?" 

"  I  cannot  say  that  it  was." 

"  You  had  no  fever,  no  headache,  no  fainting-spell  ?  " 

"No  Sir." 

"Then  why  did  you  absent  yourself?" 

"  I  felt  unhappy,  and  shrank  from  seeing  any  one ;  especially 
strange  guests." 

"  Unhappy  ?     About  what  ?  " 

"  My  heart  ached,  and  I  wished  to  be  alone." 

"  Heart-ache — so  early  ?  However, — you  are  in  your  seven 
teenth  year,  quite  old  enough  I  suppose  for  the  premonitory 
symptoms.  What  gave  you  heart-ache  ?  " 

She  was  silent. 

"  You  feared  my  displeasure,  knowing  I  had  cause  to  feel 
offended,  when  making  a  pretence  of  deferring  to  my  wishes, 
you  hurried  away  from  my  office,  just  as  I  was  returning  to  it  ? 
Why  did  you  not  wait  ?  " 

"  I  was  afraid  you  would  refuse  your  permission,  and  I 
wanted  so  very  much  to  go  to  Mrs.  Mason's." 

Above  all  other  virtues  he  reverenced  and  admired  stern  un 
varnished  truth,  and  this  strong  element  of  her  reticent  nature 
had  powerfully  attracted  him. 

"  Little  girl,  am  I  such  a  stony-hearted  ogre  ?  "  A  strangely 
genial  smile  warmed  and  brightened  his  usually  grave  cold  face, 
and  certainly  at  that  moment  Erie  Palma  showed  one  aspect 
of  his  nature,  never  exhibited  before  to  any  human  being. 

"  What  a  fascinating  person  this  poor  old  Mrs.  Mason  must 
be  ; — absolutely  tempting  you  to  disobedience.  Does  she  not 
correspond  with  the  saints  in  Oude  ?  " 

"  If  you  mean  Mr.  Lindsay  and  his  mother,  she  certainly 
hears  from  them  occasionally." 

"  Why  not  phrase  it — Mrs.  Lindsay  and  her  son  ?  Was  it 
the  dreadful  news  that  malarial  fever  is  epidemic  at  the  Mis 
sions, — or  that  the  Sepoys  are  threatening  another  revolt, — 


INF  ELI  CE.  327 

that  destroyed  your  appetite,  unfitted  you  for  the  social  ameni 
ties  of  the  dinner-table, — and  gave  you  heart-ache  ?  " 

"  If  there  is  such  bad  news,  I  did  not  hear  it.  Mrs.  Mason 
was  not  at  home." 

"  Indeed  !  Then  whom  did  you  see  ?  " 

"  When  I  ascertained  she  was  absent,  I  had  already  sent  the 
carriage  away,  and  I  came  home,  after  stopping  a  few  moments 
in Square." 

She  grew  very  white  as  she  spoke,  and  he  saw  her  lips 
quiver. 

"  Regina  what  is  the  matter  ?  " 

She  did  not  reply ;  and  bending  toward  her,  he  said  in  a 
low,  winning  voice  entirely  unlike  his  usual  tone  : 

"  Lily  trust  your  guardian." 

Looking  into  his  brilliant  eyes,  she  felt  tempted  to  tell  him 
all,  to  repose  implicitly  upon  his  wisdom  and  guidance,  but  the 
image  of  Peleg  Peterson  rose  like  a  hideous  warning  spectre. 

Readily  interpreting  the  varying  expression  of  a  countenance 
which  he  had  so  long  and  carefully  studied,  he  continued  : 

"  You  wish  to  tell  me  frankly, — yet  you  shrink  from  the  or 
deal.  Lily  what  have  you  done,  that  you  blush  to  confess  to  me  ?  " 

"Nothing  Sir." 

"  Why  then  do  you  hesitate  ?  " 

''Because  other  persons  are  involved.  Oh  Mr.  Palma  !  I 
am  very  unhappy." 

She  clasped  her  hands,  and  bowed  her  chin  upon  them,  a 
peculiar  position  into  which  sorrow  always  drove  her. 

"I  inferred  as  much,  from  your  manner  while  at  the  organ. 
I  am  very  sorry  that  my  house  is  not  a  happy  home  for  my 
ward.  Have  you  been  subjected  to  any  annoyances  from  the 
members  of  my  household  ?  " 

"None — whatever.  All  are  kind  and  considerate.  But  I 
can  never  be  satisfied  till  I  see  my  mother.  I  shall  write  to 
night,  imploring  her  permission  to  join  her  in  Europe,  and  I 
beg  that  you  will  please  use  your  influence  in  favor  of  my 
wishes.  Oh  Sir  !  do  help  me  to  go  to  my  mother." 


328  INFELICE. 

His  smile  froze, — his  face  hardened ;  and  he  led  her  to  a 
low  sofa  capable  of  seating  only  two  persons,  and  drawn  near 
the  fire. 

"  Madame  Orme  does  not  want  her  daughter,  just  yet." 

"  But  I  want  my  mother.     Oh  I  must  go  ! " 

He  took  both  her  hands  as  they  lay  folded  in  her  lap,  opened 
the  clenched  fingers, — clasping  them  softly  in  his  own,  so  white 
and  shapely, — and  his  black  eyes  glittered  : 

"Am  I  cruel  and  harsh  to  my  Lily,  that  she  is  so  anxious  to 
run  away  from  her  guardian  ?  " 

"  No  Sir, — oh  no  !  Kind  and  very  good, — consulting  what 
you  consider  my  welfare  in  all  things.  But  you  can't  take 
mother's  place  in  my  heart." 

"  I  assure  you  little  girl,  I  do  not  want  your  mother's  place." 

Something  peculiar  in  his  tone,  arrested  her  notice,  and  lift 
ing  her  large  lovely  eyes  she  met  his  searching  gaze. 

"  That  is  right,  keep  your  eyes  so,  fixed  steadily  on  mine, 
while  I  discharge  a  rather  delicate  and  embarrassing  duty,  which 
sometimes  devolves  upon  the  grim  guardians  of  pretty  young 
ladies.  In  your  mother's  absence  I  am  supposed  to  occupy  a 
quasi  parental  position  toward  you  ;  and  am  the  authorized 
custodian  of  your  secrets, — should  you  like  most  persons  of 
your  age,  chance  to  possess  any.  Your  mother,  you  are  aware, 
invested  me  with  this  right  as  her  vice-gerent,  consequently  you 
must  pardon  the  inquisition  into  the  state  of  your  affections, 
which  just  now,  I  am  compelled  to  make.  Although  I  consider 
you  entirely  too  young  for  such  grave  propositions, — it  is  never 
theless  proper  that  I  should  be  the  medium  of  their  presentation 
when  they  become  inevitable.  Upon  the  tender  and  very  sus 
ceptible  heart  of  Mr.  Elliott  Roscoe, — it  appears,  that  either 
with  '  malice  prepense,'  or  else,  let  us  hope, — in  innocent  un 
consciousness, — you  have  been  practising  certain  feminine  wiles 
and  sorcery,  which  have  so  far  capsized  his  reason,  that  he  is 
incapacitated  for  attending  to  his  business.  When  I  remon 
strated  against  the  lunacy  into  which  he  is  drifting, — he  in  very 
poetic  and  chivalric  style — which  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat 


INFELICE. 


329 


here, — assured  me  that  you  were  the  element  which  had  utterly 
deranged  his  cerebral  equipoise.  Elliot  Roscoe  is  my  cousin, 
is  a  young  gentleman  of  good  character,  good  mind,  good  edu 
cation,  good  heart,  and  good  manners, — and  in  due  time  may 
command  a  good  income  from  his  profession ;  but  just  now,  in, 
pecuniary  matters,  he  would  not  be  considered  a  brilliant  match. 
Mr.  Roscoe  informs  me  that  he  desires  an  interview  with  you 
to-morrow,  for  the  purpose  of  offering  you  his  heart  and  hand, 
— and  while  protesting  on  the  ground  of  your  youth,  I  have 
promised  to  communicate  his  wishes  to  you,  and  should  he  be 
favorably  received,  write  to  your  mother  at  once." 

Perplexed  and  confused,  she  had  not  fully  comprehended  his 
purpose  until  he  uttered  the  closing  sentence, — and  painful  as 
tonishment  kept  her  silent, — while  as  if  spellbound  her  gaze 
met  his. 

"  Now  it  remains  for  you  to  answer  one  question.  Should 
your  mother  give  her  consent,  does  Miss  Regina  Orme  intend 
to  become  my  cousin  ?  " 

"  Oh  never  !  You  distress  me  ;  you  ought  not  to  talk  to  me 
of  such  things.  I  am  so  young,  you  know  mother  would  not 
approve  of  it." 

She  blushed  scarlet,  and  attempted  to  withdraw  her  hands, 
but  found  it  impossible. 

"  Quite  true,  and  if  crazy  young  gentlemen  could  be  prevailed 
upon  to  keep  silent, — rest  assured  I  should  never  have  broached 
a  subject,  which  I  regard  as  premature.  But  while  I  certainly 
applaud  your  good  sense,  it  is  rather  problematical  whether  I 
should  feel  gratified  at  your  summary  rejection  of  an  alliance 
with  my  cousin.  Are  you  fully  resolved  that  I  shall  never  be 
related  to  you,  except  as  your  guardian  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir.     I  do  not  wish  to  be  your  cousin." 

Once  more  the  smile  shone  out  suddenly,  making  sunshine 
in  his  face. 

"  Thank  you.     At  what  hour  will  you  see  Mr.  Roscoe  ?  " 

"  At  none.  Please  do  not  let  him  come  here,  or  speak  to 
me  on  that  subject ;  it  would  be  so  extremely  painful.  I 


330  INFELICE. 

should  never  meet  him  afterward  without  feeling  distressed,  and 
things  would  be  intolerably  disagreeable.  Please  Mr.  Palma, 
— shield  me  from  it." 

She  involuntarily  drew  closer  to  him,  as  if  for  protection,  and 
noting  the  movement,  he  smiled,  and  tightened  his  clasp  of  her 
hands. 

"  I  cannot  positively  forbid  him  to  address  you  on  this  terri-t 
ble  topic,  but  if  you  wish  it,  I  will  endeavor  to  dissuade  him. 
Elliott  has  Palma  blood  in  his  veins, — and  that  has  certain  un 
mistakable  tendencies  to  obstinacy, — though  its  conduct  in  love 
affairs, — yet  remains  to  be  tested  ;  but  it  occurs  to  me  that  if 
you  are  in  earnest  in  desiring  to  crush  this  foolish  whim  in  the 
bud, — you  can  very  easily  accomplish  it  by  empowering  me  to 
make  to  my  cousin  a  simple  statement,  which  will  extinguish 
the  matter,  beyond  all  possibility  of  resurrection." 

"  Then  tell  him  whatever  your  judgment  dictates." 

"  My  judgment  must  be  instructed  by  facts, — and  the  simple 
statement  I  propose,  might  involve  grave  consequences.  Do 
you  authorize  me  to  close  the  discussion  of  this  matter  at  once 
and  forever,  by  informing  Mr.  Roscoe  that  you  cannot  enter 
tain  the  thought  of  granting  him  an  interview, — because  his 
suit  is  hopeless  from  the  fact  that  your  affections  are  already 
engaged  ? " 

She  was  too  much  embarrassed  by  his  piercing  merciless  eyes, 
to  notice  that  he  slipped  one  finger  upon  the  pulse  at  her  wrist, 
— keeping  her  hands  firmly  in  his  warm  clasp  ; — or  that  he 
leaned  lower  as  he  spoke,  until  his  noble  massive  head  very 
nearly  approached  hers. 

"  I  could  not  ask  you  to  tell  him  that.     It  would  be  untrue." 

"  Are  you  sure, — Lily  ?  " 

"Yes,  Mr.  Palma." 

"  Have  you  forgotten  Mr.  Lindsay  ?  " 

He  thought  for  an  instant  that  the  pulse  stood  still, — then 
beat  regularly  calmly  on, — and  he  wondered  if  his  own  tight 
pressure  had  baffled  his  object. 

"  No — I  shall  never  forget  Mr.  Lindsay." 


INFELICE.  331 

She  did  not  shrink  or  color,  but  a  sad  hopeless  look  crept 
into  her  splendid  eyes,  at  the  mention  of  his  name. 

"  You  are  certain  that  the  young  Missionary  will  not  prove 
the  obstacle  to  your  becoming  more  closely  related  to  your 
guardian?  Thus  far,  I  have  found  you  singularly  truthful  in 
all  things, — be  careful  that  just  here,  you  deceive  neither  your 
self,  nor  me.  There  is  a  tradition  that  in  the  river  Inachus  is 
found  a  peculiar  stone  resembling  a  beryl,  which  turns  black  in 
the  hands  of  those  who  intend  to  bear  false  witness  ;  and  you 
can  readily  understand  that  lawyers  find  such  stones  invaluable 
in  the  court-room.  I  have  placed  you  on  the  witness  stand, 
and  my  beryl-tinted  seal  ring  presses  your  palm  at  this  instant. 
Be  frank  ;  are  you  not  very  deeply  attached  to  Mr.  Lindsay  ?  " 

Suddenly  a  burning  flush  bathed  her  brow,  she  struggled  to 
tree  her  hands  in  order  to  hide  her  face  from  his  glowing  prob 
ing  eyes,  but  his  hold  was  unyielding  as  a  band  of  steel;— and 
hardly  conscious  where  she  found  shelter,  she  turned  and 
pressed  her  cheek  against  his  shoulder,  striving  to  avoid  that 
inquisitorial  gaze. 

She  did  not  see  his  face  grow  gray  and  stony,  or  that  the 
white  teeth  gnawed  the  lower  lip  ; — but  when  he  spoke  his 
voice  was  stern,  and  indescribably  icy. 

"  My  ward  should  study  her  heart,  before  she  empowers  her 
guardian  to  consider  it  unoccupied  property.  You  should  at 
least  inform  your  mother  that  it  has  become  a  mere  missionary 
station." 

With  her  hot  cheeks  still  hidden  against  his  shoulder,  she 
exclaimed : 

"  No — no  !  You  do  not  at  all  understand  me.  I  feel  to 
him, — to  Douglass,  exactly  as  I  did  when  he  went  away." 

"So  I  infer.     Your  feeling  is  sufficiently  apparent." 

"  Not  what  you  imagine.  When  he  left  me  I  promised  him 
I  would  always  love  him  as  I  did  then ;  and  I  told  him  what 
was  true, — I  loved  him  next  to  my  mother.  But  not  as  you 
mean, — oh  no  !  If  God  had  given  me  a  brother,  I  should  think 
of  him  exactly  as  I  do  of  dear  Douglass.  I  miss  him  very 


332  INFELICE. 

much,  more  than  I  can  express, — and  I  love  him,  and  want  to 
'see  him.  But  I  never  had  any  other  thought,  except  as  his 
adopted  sister,  until  this  moment  when  you  spoke,  and  it 
shocked,  it  almost  humiliated  me.  Indeed  my  feeling  for  him 
is  almost  holy, — and  your  thought, — your  meaning  seems  to 
me  sacrilegious.  He  is  my  noble  true  friend,  my  dear  good 
brother, — and  you  must  not  think  such  things  of  him  and  of  me, 
— it  hurts  me." 

For  nearly  a  moment  there  was  silence. 

Mr.  Palma  dropped  one  of  her  hands,  and  his  arm  passed 
quickly  around  her  shoulder,  while  his  open  palm  pressed  her 
head  closer  against  him. 

"  Is  my  ward  sure  that  if  he  wished  to  be  more  than  a  brother, 
she  would  never  reciprocate, — would  never  cherish  a  different 
feeling,  a  stronger  affection  ?  " 

"  He  could  never  wish  that.  He  is  so  much  older  and  wiser 
and  better  than  I  am  ; — and  looks  on  me  only  as  a  littJ.e 
sister." 

"  Is  superiority  in  years  and  wisdom  the  only  obstacle  you 
can  imagine  ?  " 

"  I  have  never  thought  of  it  at  all,  until  you  spoke, — and  it 
is  painful  to  me.  It  seems  disrespectful  to  connect  such  ideas 
as  yours,  with  the  name  of  one  whom  I  honor  as  my  brother." 

He  put  his  hand  under  her  chin,  turning  her  face  to  viev 
despite  her  struggle  to  prevent  it,  and  bending  his  head, — h* 
did  not  kiss  her  ?  Oh  no  !  Erie  Palma  had  never  kissed  an^ 
one  since  his  childhood, — but  for  one  instant  his  dark  cheek  was 
laid  close  to  hers,  with  a  tender  caressing  touch,  that  astonished 
her  as  completely  as  if  one  of  the  bronze  statuettes  on  the  con 
sole  above  her  head,  had  laughed  aloud,  and  clapped  its  metallic 
hands. 

"Henceforth  the 'disrespectful  idea 'shall  never  be  asso-, 
ciated  with  the  name  of  Mr.  Douglass  Lindsay,  and  in  the 
future  1  warn  you,  there  shall  be  none  but  a  purely  fraternal 
niche  allowed  him  ;  moreover  it  is  not  requisite  that  you  should 
s^euk  of  him  as  '  dear  Douglass '  in  order  to  assure  me  of  your 


INFELICE.  333 

sisterly  regard.  What  I  shall  do  with  my  unfortunate  young 
cousin,  is  not  quite  so  transparent; — for  Elliott  will  not  receive 
his  rejection  by  proxy." 

He  had  withdrawn  his  arm,  and  released  her  hand,  and  rising, 
she  exclaimed  impetuously  : 

"  Tell  him  that  Regina  Orme  will  never  permit  him  to  broach 
that  subject ;  and  tell  him  too,  that  I  am  a  waif, — a  girl  over 
whose  parentage  hangs  a  shadow  dark  and  chill  as  a  pall.  Oh  I 
tell  him  I  want  my  mother,  and  an  honorable  unsullied  name, — 
and  until  I  can  find  these,  I  have  no  room  in  my  mind  or  heart, 
— for  a  lover  !  " 

As  the  events  of  the  day,  temporarily  banished  from  her 
thoughts  by  the  unexpected  character  of  the  interview, — rushed 
back  with  renewed  force  and  bitterness, — the  transient  color 
died  out  of  her  face,  leaving  it  strangely  wan  and  worn  in 
aspect ;  and  Mr.  Palma  saw  now  that  purple  shadows  lay  beneath 
the  deep  eyes,  rendering  them  more  than  ever  prophetic  in  their 
solemn  mournful  expression. 

"  What  unusual  occurrence  has  stimulated  your  interest  and 
curiosity  concerning  your  parentage  ?  " 

"  It  never  slumbers.  It  is  the  last  thought  at  night ;  and  the 
first  when  the  day  dawns.  It  is  a  burden  that  is  never  lifted, — 
that  galls  continually ; — and  sometimes,  as  to-night,  I  feel  that  I 
cannot  endure  it  much  longer." 

"  You  must  be  patient, — for  awhile  at  least," 

"  Yes — I  have  heard  that  for  ten  long  years,  and  I  have  been 
both  patient  and  silent ; — but  the  time  has  come  when  I  can 
bear  no  more.  Anything  positive,  definite, — susceptible  of 
proof, — no  matter  how  distressing, — would  be  more  tolerable 
than  this  suspense, — this  maddening  conjecture.  I  will  see  my 
mother  ; — I  must  know  the  truth, — be  it  what  it  may !  " 

The  witchery  of  childhood  had  vanished  forever.  Even  the 
glimmer  of  hope  seemed  paling  in  the  almost  supernatural  eyes, 
that  had  grown  prematurely  womanly  ; — viewing  life  no  more 
through  the  rainbow  lenses  of  sanguine  girlhood,  but  henceforth 
as  an  anxious  woman  haunting  the  penetralia  of  sorrow, — never 


334  INFELICE. 

oblivious  of  the  fact  that  over  her  path  hovered  the  gibr.ng  spec 
tre  of  disgrace. 

The  unwonted  recklessness  of  her  tone  and  mien,  annoyed 
and  surprised  her  guardian,  and  while  a  frown  gathered  on  his 
brow,  he  rose  and  stood  beside  her. 

"  Your  petulant  vehemence  is  both  unbecoming  and  displeas 
ing  ;  and  in  future  you  would  do  well  to  recollect  that  as  a  child 
submitted  to  my  guidance  by  your  mother's  desire,  it  is  dis 
respectful  both  to  her  and  to  me,  to  insist  upon  a  course,  at 
variance  with  our  judgment  and  wishes." 

"  I  am  not  a  child.  To-day  I  know, — I  feel  I  have  done  for 
ever  with  my  old — happy  childhood  ; — I  am — what  I  wish  I 
were  not, — a  woman.  Oh  Mr.  Palma !  be  merciful,  and  send 
me  to  mother." 

He  looked  down  into  the  worn  face  gleaming  under  the  gas- 
lamps  of  the  chandelier, — into  the  shadowy  eloquent  eyes, — 
and  noting  the  bloodless  lips  drawn  sharply  into  curves  of  pain, 
his  hand  fell  upon  her  shoulder. 

"  Lily  because  I  am  merciful,  I  shall  keep  you  here.  I  am 
not  a  patient  man,  am  unaccustomed  to  teasing  importunity, — 
and  it  would  pain  me  to  harshly  bruise  the  white  flower  I  have 
undertaken  to  shelter  from  storm  and  dust ; — therefore  you  must 
be  quiet,  docile,  and  annoy  me  no  more  with  fruitless  solicita 
tions.  Your  mother  does  not  want  you  in  Europe." 

"  You  will  not  let  me  go  ?  " 

"  I  will  not.  Let  this  subject  rest  henceforth,  until  I  rene\v 
it" 

With  a  faint  moan,  she  shut  her  eyes,  and  shivered  ;  and 
again  he  took  her  little  white  cold  hands. 

"  Little  snow-statue,  why  will  you  not  trust  me  ?  Tell  me 
what  has  so  suddenly  changed  the  soft  white  Lily  bud  of  yes 
terday, — into  this  hollow-eyed, — defiant  young  woman  ?  " 

The  temptation  was  powerful,  to  unburden  her  heart,  to  de 
mand  of  him  the  truth,  with  which  she  suspected  he  was  at 
least — partly  acquainted  ;  but  the  thought  of  casting  so  fearful 
an  imputation  upon  her  mother,  sealed  her  lips.  Moreover  she 


INFELICE.  335 

felt  assured  that  her  entreaties  would  never  prevail  upon  him 
to  disclose,  what  he  deemed  it  expedient  to  conceal. 

He  watched  and  understood  the  struggle,  and  a  cold  smile 
moved  his  handsome  mouth. 

"  You  have  resolved  to  withhold  your  confidence.  Very  w^ll, 
I  shall  never  again  solicit  it.  It  is  not  my  habit  to  petition  for 
that  which  I  have  a  right  to  command.  You  merely  force  me 
to  draw  the  reins,  where  I  preferred  you  should  at  least  imagine 
you  were  unbridled." 

He  dropped  her  hands,  looked  at  his  watch,  and  took  up  his 
gloves  ;  adding  in  an  entirely  altered  and  indifferent  voice  : 

"  What  have  you  lost  to-day?" 

It  was  with  difficulty  that  she  restrained  the  words : 

"  My  youth,  my  peace  of  mind, — my  hope  and  faith  in  my 
future." 

Raising  her  hands  wearily,  she  rested  her  chin  upon  them, 
and  answered  slowly : 

"  Many  things  I  fear." 

"  Valuable  articles  ?  Faded  flowers, — perfumed  with  choice 
oriental  reminiscences  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir,  I  lost  my  purse, — and  my  Agra  violets." 

"What  reward  will  you  offer  for  the  recovery  of  such 
precious  relics  of  fraternal  affection  ?  A  promise  of  implicit 
obedience  to  your  guardian?  Certainly  they  are  worth  that 
trifle  ?  " 

"  They  are  very  precious  indeed.  Where  did  you  find  my 
purse  ?" 

"  On  the  desk  at  my  office." 

He  held  up  the  ivory  toy,  then  laid  it  on  the  table. 

"  Thank  you  Sir.  Mr.  Palma  will  you  grant  me  a  great 
, favor?" 

"  As  I  never  forfeit  my  word,  I  avoid  entangling  myself  rashly 
in  the  meshes  of  promise.  Just  now  I  am  in  no  mood  to  grant 
your  unreasonable  petitions, — still  I  will  be  glad  to  hear  what 
my  ward  desires  of  her  guardian." 

Her  lip  quivered,  and  his  heart  smote  him,  as  he  observed 


336  INFELICE. 

her  wounded  expression.  She  was  silent,  still  resting  her 
drooped  head  on  her  folded  hands. 

"  Regina  I  am  waiting  to  hear  .you." 

"It  is  useless.     You  would  refuse  me." 

"  Probably  I  should  : — yet  I  prefer  that  you  should  express 
your  wishes,  and  afford  me  an  opportunity  of  judging  of  their 
propriety." 

She  sighed  and  shook  her  head. 

"  I  shall  not  permit  such  childish  trifling.  Tell  me  at  once, 
what  you  wish  me  to  do." 

"  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  lend  me  twenty-five  dollars,  until 
I  receive  my  remittance  ?  " 

His  eyes  fell  beneath  her  timidly  pleading  gaze,  and  a  deep 
flush  of  embarrassment  passed  over  his  face. 

"  That  depends  upon  the  use  you  intend  to  make  of  it.  If 
you  desire  to  run  away  from  me,  I  am  afraid  you  must  borrow 
of  some  one  else.  Do  you  wish  to  pay  your  passage  to 
Europe  ?  " 

"  Oh  no  !  I  wish  that  I  could !  You  allow  me  no  such 
comforting  hope." 

"  What  do  you  want  with  it  ?" 

"  I  cannot  tell  you." 

"Because  you  know  that  your  object  is  improper  ?  " 

"  No  Sir ;  but  you  would  not  understand  my  motives." 

"Try  me." 

"  I  will  not.  I  hoped  you  would  have  sufficient  confidence 
in  me,  to  grant  my  request  without  demanding  my  reasons." 

"  I  have  confidence  in  the  purity  of  your  motives.  I  do  not 
question  the  goodness  of  your  heart,  or  the  propriety  of  your 
intentions  ;  but  I  gravely  doubt  the  correctness  of  your  youth 
ful  judgment.  Do  not  force  me  to  refuse  you  such  a  trivial 
thing.  Tell  me  your  purpose." 

"  No  Sir." 

A  proud  grieved  look  crossed  her  delicate  features. 

He  walked  away,  reached  the  door,  then  came  back  for  one 
of  his  gloves  which  had  fallen  on  the  rug. 


INFELICE.  337 

"  Mr.  Palma." 

"Well,— Miss  Orme." 

"  Trust  me." 

He  looked  down  into  her  beautiful  sad  eyes,  and  his  heart 
began  to  throb  fiercely. 

"  Lily,— I  will." 

"  Some  day  I  will  explain  everything." 

"  When  do  you  want  the  money  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  morning,  if  you  please." 

"  At  breakfast  you  will  find  it  in  an  envelope  under  your 
plate." 

"  Thank  you  Sir.     It  is  for  "— 

"  Hush  !  Tell  me  nothing,  till  you  tell  me  all.  I  prefer  to 
trust  you  entirely,  and  I  shall  wait  for  the  hour  when  no  con 
cealment  exists  between  us  ;  when  your  secret  thoughts  are  as 
much  my  property,  as  my  own.  Less  than  that,  will  never 
content  your  exacting  guardian,  but  that  hour  is  very  distant." 

She  took  his  hand  and  pressed  her  soft  lips  upon  it,  ere  he 
could  snatch  it  away." 

"  God  grant  that  hour  may  come  speedily." 

"  Amen, — Lily.  You  look  strangely  worn  and  ill ;  and 
your  eyes  are  distressingly  elfish  and  shadowy.  Go  to  sleep, 
little  girl ;  and  forget  that  you  forced  me  to  be  stern  and  harsh. 
Remember  that  your  guardian  in  defiance  of  his  judgment, 
trusts  you  fully, — entirely." 

He  turned  quickly  and  quitted  the  library  before  she  could 
reply,  and  soon  after,  hearing  the  street  door  close,  she  knew 
he  had  gone  to  Mrs.  Tarrant's. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

HE  letter  which  Regina  wrote  that  night,  was  earnest, 
almost  passionate  in  its  appeal  that  she  might  be  per 
mitted  to  join  her  mother  ;   yet   no   hint  of  the  bete 
15 


338  INF E  LICE: 

noire  of  the  Square  darkened  its  contents,— for  the  writer  felt 
that  only  face  to  face,  eye  to  eye,  could  she  ask  her  mother 
that  fearful  question,  upon  which  all  her  future  peace  depended. 
Having  sealed  and  addressed  the  envelope,  she  extinguished 
the  light,  and  tried  to  find  in  sleep  that  blessed  oblivion  which 
nature  mercifully  provides  for  aching  hearts,  and  heavily  lackti 
brains ;  but  about  three  o'clock  she  heard  the  carnage  at  the 
front  door,  the  voices  of  the  trio  ascending  the  stairs, — and 
once  a  ringing  triumphant  laugh  which  was  peculiarly  Oiga's, 
— then  all  grew  still  in  the  house,  and  quiet  in  the  street. 

Unable  to  compose  herself,  tossing  restlessly  on  her  bed, — - 
with  hot  throbbing  temples,  and  a  sore  heart,  Regina  wearily 
listened  for  the  low  silvery  strokes  of  the  clock,  and  when  it 
announced  half-past  three, — she  began  to  long  for  daylight. 

Suddenly,  although  warned  by  not  even  the  faintest  sound, 
she  became  aware  that  she  was  not  alone  ;  that  a  human  being 
was  breathing  the    same  atmosphere.     Starting  into  a  sitting 
posture,  she  exclaimed  : 
"  Who  is  there  ?  " 

"  Hush  !  I  am  no  burglar.  Don't  make  a  noise." 
Simultaneously  she  heard  the  stroke  of  a  match,  and  a  small 
wax  taper  was  lighted  and  held  high  over  Oiga's  head,  showing 
her  tall  form  enveloped  in  a  cherry-colored  dressing-gown  and 
shawl.  Stepping  cautiously  across  the  floor,  she  lighted  one  of 
the  gas  burners,  placed  the  taper  on  the  bureau,  and  came  to 
the  bedside. 

"Make  room  for  me.     I  am  cold, — my  feet  are  like  ice." 
"  What  is  the  matter?     Has  anything  happened  ?  " 
"  Nothing  particularly  new  or  strange.     Something  happens 
every  hour  you  know  ;  people  are  born,  bartered, — die  and  are 
buried  ; — lives  get  blackened,   and  hearts  bleed, — and  are  tram 
pled  by  human  hoofs,  until  they  are  crushed  beyond  recogni 
tion.     My  dear,  civilization  is  a  huge  cheat,  and  the  Red  Law 
of  Savages  in  primeval  night,  is  worth  all  the  tomes  of  jurispru 
dence,  from   the  Pandects  of  Justinian, — to  the  Commentaries 
of  Blackstone,   and   the  wisdom  of  Coke  and  Story.     Oh  hal- 


INFELICE.  339 

cyon  days  of  Pre-historic  humanity  !  When  instead  of  bowing 
and  smiling,  and  chatting  gracefully  with  one's  deadliest  foe, 
— drinking  his  Amontillado  and  eating  his  truffles, — people  had 
the  sublime  satisfaction  of  roasting  his  flesh,  and  calcining  his 
bones, — for  an  antediluvian  dejeuner  a  la  fonrchette, — (only  to 
escape  anachronism,) — sans  fourchette  !  What  a  pity  I  have 
not  the  privileges  of  la  belle  sauvage,  far  away  in  some  canni 
balistic  nook  of  pagan  Polynesia." 

She  was  sitting  with  the  bedclothes  drawn  closely  over  her, 
and  Regina  could  scarcely  recognize  in  the  pale,  almost  hag 
gard  face  beside  her,  the  radiant  laughing  woman  who  had 
seemed  so  dazzling  a  few  hours  before,  as  she  hurried  away  in 
her  festive  robes. 

"  Olga  you  talk  like  a  heathen." 

"  Of  course.  To  be  sincere,  unselfish, — honest  and  womanly, 
— is  nowaday  inevitably  heathenish.  I  wish  I  had  a  nose  as 
flat  as  a  buckwheat  cake, — and  lips  three  inches  thick,  with 
huge  brass  rings  dangling  from  both  !  And  for  raiment, — in 
stead  of  Worth's  miracles, — a  man  tie  of  feathenvork,  or  a  deer 
skin  cut  into  fringe,  and  studded  with  blue  glass  beads  !  Civil 
ization  is  a  gibing  imposture, — and  religion  is  laughing  in  its 
sacerdotal  sleeves, — at  its  own  unblushing  " 

"  Hush  Olga !  You  are  blasphemous.  No  wonder  you 
shiver  while  you  talk.  New  York  is  full  of  noble  Christians, — 
of  generous  charming  people,  and  there  must  be  some  wicked 
ness  everywhere.  Don't  you  know  that  God  will  ultimately 
overrule  all,  and  evangelize  the  world  ?" 

"  Peut-etre  !  But  I  have  not  even  the  traditional  grain  of 
mustard  seed  to  sow ;  and  I  might  answer  you  as  Laplace  once 
did  :  lje  ri avals  pas  besoin  de  cette  hypotheses  " 

"  Had  you  a  pleasant  evening  at  Mrs.  Tarrant's?"  asked 
Regina,  anxious  to  change  the  topic. 

"  Wonderfully  brilliant,  and  quite  a  topaz  success.  I  sparkled, 
blazed,  and  people  complimented  profusely, — (criticizing  sotto 
voce,}  and  envied  openly ;  and  when  I  bowed  myself  out  at  last, 
I  felt  like  Sir  Peter  Teazle  on  quitting  Lady  Sneerwell's  :  *  \ 


3  4o  1NFELICE. 

leave  my  character  behind  me.'  Mamma  was  charmed  with 
me,  and  Mr.  Silas  Midas  looked  proud  possession,  as  if  he  had 
in  his  vest  pocket  a  bill  of  sale  to  every  pound  of  my  white 
flesh, — and  Mr.  Erie  Palma  smiled  as  benignly  as  some  cast- 
iron  statue  of  Pluto, — freshly  painted  white,  and  glistening  in 
the  sunshine.  Apropos  !  I  asked  him  to-night  if  he  would 
loosen  his  martinet  rein  upon  you,  and  permit  you  to  make 
your  debut  in  society  as  my  bridesmaid  ?  How  those  mad 
deningly  white  teeth  of  his  glittered,  as  he  smiled  approvingly 
at  the  proposition  ?  Whenever  they  gleam  out,  they  remind 
me  of  a  tiger  preparing  to  crunch  the  bones  of  a  tender  gazelle, 
or  a  bleating  lamb.  Now  you  comprehend  what  brings  me 
here  at  this  unseasonable  hour  ?  Armed  with  your  noble  guar 
dian's  sanction,  I  crave  the  honor  of  your  services  as  brides 
maid  at  my  approaching  nuptials.  Your  dress  dear,  must 
be  gentian-colored  silk  to  match  your  eyes,  and  clouded  over 
with  tulle  of  the  same  hue,  relieved  by  sprays  of  gentians  with 
silver  leaves  glittering  with  icicles, — and  you  shall  look  on  that 
occasion,  as  lovely  as  an  orthodox  Hebrew  angel ; — or  what 
is  far  more  stylish, — beautiful  as  ox-eyed  Here  poised  abvoe 
Olympos, — watching  old  Zeus  flirt  surreptitiously  with  Aphro 
dite  !  Will  you  be  first  bridesmaid  ?  " 

"  No.  I  will  not  be  your  bridesmaid.  I  could  never  co 
operate  in  the  unhallowed  scheme  of  wedding  a  man  whom  you 
despise.  Oh  Olga  !  Do  not  degrade  yourself  by  such  a  mer 
cenary  traffic." 

"  My  dear  uncontanr.iiated  innocent,  don't  you  see  that  so 
ciety,  and  mamma,  and  Erie  Palma  have  all  conspired  to 
make  an  Isaac  of  me  ?  Bound  hand  and  foot,  I  lie  on  the 
Moriah  of  fashionable  life  ;  but  the  grim  fact  stares  me  in  the 
face,  that  no  ram  will  be  forthcoming  when  the  slaughter  be 
gins  !  No  relenting  hand  will  stay  the  uplifted  knife.  Diana 
will  not  snatch  me  into  Tauris, — and  mamma  cannot  sail 
prosperously  from  the  Aulis  of  Erie  Palma' s  charity,  until 
I  am  sacrificed.  Ah  !  The  pitying  tenderness  of  maternal 
love  ! " 


INFELICE.  341 

She  spoke  with  intolerable  bitterness,  and  Regina  put  one 
arm  around  her. 

"  Olga  she  loves  you  too  well  to  doom  you  to  lifelong  misery. 
You  always  talk  so  mockingly, — and  say  so  many  queer  things 
you  do  not  mean, — that  she  does  not  realize  your  true  senti 
ments.  Show  her  your  heart,  your  real  feelings,  and  she  will 
never  consent  to  see  you  marry  that  man." 

"  Do  you  believe  that  I  successfully  mask  my  heart  ?  Not 
from  mamma,  not  from  Erie  Palma.  They  know  all  its 
tortures,  all  its  wild  desperate  struggles,  and  they  are  confident 
that  after  awhile  I  shall  wear  out  my  own  opposition,  and  sullenly 
succumb  to  their  wishes.  They  have  taken  an  inventory  of 
Silas  Congreve's  worldly  goods,  and  in  exchange  would 'gladly 
brand  his  name  as  title-deed  upon  my  brow.  To-night,  I  have 
danced,  laughed,  chattered  like  a  yellow  parrot, — ate,  drank 
champagne,  flattered,  flirted  and  fibbed — until  I  am  well  nigh 
mad.  It  seems  to  me  that  a  whole  legion  of  demons  lie  in 
wait  outside  of  your  door,  to  seize  my  shivering  desolate 
soul." 

She  shuddered,  and  pressed  her  fingers  over  her  glittering 
eyes. 

"  Regina  you  are  a  silly  young  thing,  as  ignorant  of  the  ways 
of  the  world,  as  an  unfledged  Java  sparrow  ;  but  your  heart  is 
pure  and  true,  and  your  affection  is  no  adroitly  set  steel-trap,  to 
spring  unawares,  and  catch  and  cut  me.  From  the  day  when 
you  first  came  among  us,  with  your  sweet  childish  face  and  holy 
eyes, — as  much  out  of  place  in  this  house, — as  Abel's  saintly 
countenance  would  be  in  Cai'na, — I  have  watched  and  believed 
in  you  ;  and  my  wretched  worldly  heart  began  to  put  out  fibres 
toward  you,  as  those  hyacinths  there  in  your  bulb-glasses  grow 
roots.  Will  it  be  safe  for  me  to  confide  in  you  ?  Can  I  trust 
you  ?  " 

"  I  think  so." 

"  Will  you  promise  to  keep  secret  whatever  I  may  tell  you  ?  " 

"  Does  it  concern  only  yourself?  " 

"  Only  myself,  and  one  other  person  whom  you  do  not  even 


342  Uf FELICE. 

know.  If  I  venture  to  tell  you  anything,  you  must  give  me  your 
solemn  promise  to  betray  me  to  no  human  being.  I  want  your 
sympathy  at  least,  for  I  feel  desperate." 

Looking  pityingly  at  her  pale  sorrowful  face  and  quivering 
mouth,  Regina  drew  closer  to  her. 

"  You  may  trust  me.     I  will  never  betray  you." 

"  Not  to  mamma,  not  to  your  guardian  ?     You  promise  ?  " 

Her  cold  hand  seized  her  companion's,  and  wistfully  her  hol 
low  eyes  searched  the  girl's  face. 

"  I  promise." 

"  Would  you  help  me  to  escape  from  the  misery  of  this  fine 
marriage  ?  Are  you  brave  enough  to  meet  your  guardian's 
black  frown,  and  freezing  censure  ?  " 

"  I  hope  I  am  brave  enough  to  do  right  ;  and  you  certainly 
would  not  expect  or  desire  me  to  do  anything  wrong." 

Olga  threw  her  arms  around  Regina,  and  leaned  her  head  on 
her  shoulder.  She  seemed  for  a  time  shaken  by  some  storm  of 
sorrow,  that  threatened  to  bear  away  all  her  habitual  restraint, 
and  Regina  silently  stroked  her  glossy  red  hair,  waiting  to  hear 
some  painful  revelation. 

"  I  think  I  never  should  have  ventured  to  divulge  my  misery 
to  you,  if  you  had  not  seen  me  yesterday,  and  abstained  from 
all  allusion  to  the  matter,  when  you  saw  that  I  boldly  ignored 
it.     Do  you  suspect  the  nature  of  my  errand  to  East  — 
Street  ?  " 

"  I  thought  it  possible  that  you  were  engaged  in  some  chari 
table  mission ;  at  least  I  hoped  so." 

"  Charitable  !  Then  you  considered  the  feigned  sickness  a 
*  pious  fraud,'  and  did  not  condemn  me  ?  If  charity  carried  me 
there,  it  was  solely  charity  to  my  suffering  starving  heart,  which 
cried  out  for  its  idol.  You  have  heard  of  Dirce  arid  Damicns 
dragged  by  wild  beasts  ?  Theirs  was  a  mere  afternoon  airing, 
in  comparison  with  the  race  I  am  driven  by  the  lash  of  your 
guardian, — the  spur  of  mamma,  and  the  frantic  wails  of  my 
famished  heart.  I  wish  I  could  speak  without  bitterness,  and 
mockery  and  exaggeration,  but  it  has  grown  to  be  a  part  of  my 


INFELICE.  343 

nature, — as  features  habituated  to  a  mask  insensibly  assume  to 
some  extent  its  outlines.  I  will  try  to  put  aside  my  flippant 
hollow  attempts  at  persiflage,  which  constitute  my  worldly 
mannerism,  and  tell  you  in  a  few  simple  words.  When  I  was 
about  your  age,  I  think  my  nature  must  have  resembled  yours, 
for  many  of  your  ideas  and  views  of  duty  in  this  life,  remind  me 
in  a  mournfully  vague,  tender  way  of  my  own  early  youth  ;  and 
from  that  far  distant  time,  taunting  reminiscences  float  down  to 
me, — whispers  from  my  old  self  long,  long  dead.  When  I  was 
seventeen,  I  went  one  June  to  spend  some  weeks  with  my 
Grandmother  Neville,  who  was  an  invalid,  and  resided  on  the 
Hudson,  near  a  very  picturesque  spot,  which  artists  were  in  the 
habit  of  frequenting  with  their  sketch-books.  Allowed  a  degree 
of  liberty  which  mamma  never  accorded  me  at  home,  I  availed 
myself  of  the  lax  regimen  of  my  grandmother,  and  roamed  at 
will  about  the  beautiful  country  adjacent.  In  one  of  these  ill- 
fated  excursions  I  encountered  a  young  artist, — who  was  spend 
ing  a  few  days  in  the  neighborhood.  I  was  a  simple-hearted 
school-girl,  untutored  in  worldly  wisdom,  and  had  always  spent 
my  vacations  with  grandmother,  who  was  afflicted  with  no 
aristocratic  whims  and  vagaries  ; — who  thought  it  not  wholly 
unpardonable  to  be  poor, — and  was  so  old-fashioned  as  to  judge 
people  from  their  merits, — not  by  the  amount  of  their  income 
tax. 

"  Belmont  Eggleston  was  then  about  twenty-five,  very  hand 
some,  very  talented,  full  of  chivalric  enthusiasm,  and  as  refiner1 
and  tender  in  sensibility  as  a  woman.  We  met  accidentally  ,- 
a  farm-house,  where  a  sudden  shower  drove  us  for  shelter,  and 
from  that  hour  neither  could  forget  the  other.  It  was  the  old, 
old  immemorial  story, — two  fresh  young  souls  united,— two 
hearts  exchanged, — two  lives  forever  entangled.  We  walked 
and  rode  together,  he  taught  me  drawing, — came  now  and  then 
and  spent  the  long  summer  afternoons,  and  grandmother  liked 
and  welcomed  him ; — offered  no  obstacle  to  the  strong  current 
of  love  that  ran  like  a  golden  stream  for  those  few  hallowed 
weeks, — and  afterward, — found  only  rapids  and  whirlpools. 


344  INFELICE. 

How  deliriously  happy  I  was  !  What  a  glory  seems  even  now, 
to  linger  about  every  tree  and  rock  that  we.  visited  together ! 
He  told  me  he  was  very  poor,  and  was  encumbered  with  the 
care  of  an  infirm  mother  and  sister,  and  of  a  young  brother 
who  displayed  great  plastic  skill,  and  gave  promise  of  becom 
ing  renowned  in  sculpture,  while  Belmont  was  devoted  to 
painting.  He  frankly  explained  his  poverty,  detailed  his  plans, 
— expatiated  with  beautiful  poetic  fervor  upon  the  hopes  that 
gilded  his  future,  and  asked  my  sympathy  and  affection.  While 
he  was  obscure,  he  was  unwilling  to  claim  me, — his  love  was 
too  unselfish  to  transplant  me  from  a  sphere  of  luxury  and  afflu 
ence  to  one  of  pecuniary  want ; — and  he  only  desired  that  I 
would  patiently  wait  until  his  genius  won  recognition.  One 
star-lit  night,  standing  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  with  the  per 
fume  of  jasmines  stealing  over  us, — I  put  my  hand  in  his,  and 
pledged  my  heart,  my  life  for  his.  Nearly  eight  years  have 
passed  since  then,  but  no  shadow  of  regret  has  ever  crossed  my 
mind  for  the  solemn  promise  I  gave  ;  and  despite  all  I  have 
suffered, — were  it  in  my  power  to  cancel  the  past, — I  would 
not !  Bitter  waves  have  broken  over  me,  but  the  memory  of 
my  lover,  of  his  devotion, — is  sweeter — oh  !  sweeter  than  my 
hopes  of  heaven  !  God  forgive  me  if  it  be  sinful  idolatry.  It 
is  the  one  golden  link  that  held  me  back,  that  saves  me  now, 
from  selling  myself  to  Satan.  In  the  midst  of  that  rose-crowned 
June  and  July,  in  the  height  of  my  innocent  happiness,  mamma 
fell  upon  us,  as  a  hawk  swoops  upon  a  dove-cote,  dividing  a 
cooing  pair.  Disguising  nothing,  I  freely  told  her  all,  and  Bel 
mont  nobly  pleaded  for  permission  to  prove  his  worthiness. 
Grandmother  was  a  powerful  ally,  and  perhaps  the  result  might 
ehave  been  different,  and  mamma  would  have  ultimately  been 
won  over,  had  not  Erie  Palma's  counsel  been  sought.  That 
cold-blooded  tyrant  has  been  the  one  curse  of  my  life.  But  for 
him,  I  should  be  to-day  a  happy,  loving,  blessed  wife.  Do 
you  wonder  that  I  hate  him  ?  How  I  have  longed  for  the 
seven  Apocalyptic  vials  of  wrath  !  He  and  mamma  conferred. 
An  investigation  concerning  the  Egglestons  elicited  the  fatal 


INFELICE. 


345 


fact,  that  some  branch  of  the  family  had  once  been  accused  of 
embezzlement, — had  been  prosecuted  by  Erie  Palma, — and  in 
defiance  of  his  efforts  to  convict  him,  had  been  acquitted. 
Mamma  and  your  guardian  possessed  then,  as  now,  only  one 
criterion  : 

*  He  is  poor,  and  that's  suspicious, — he  is  unknown, 
And  that's  defenceless  ! ' 

Then  and  there,  they  sternly  prohibited  even  my  acquaint 
ance  with  one,  to  whom  I  had  promised  all  that  woman  can 
give  of  affection,  faith  and  deathless  constancy.  No  more  pity 
or  regard  was  shown  to  my  agony  of  heart  and  mind,  than  the 
cattle  drover  manifests  in  driving  innocent  dumb  horned  crea 
tures  from  quiet  clover  meadows  where  they  browsed  in  peace, — 
to  the  reeking  public, shambles.  Even  a  parting  interview  was 
denied  me,  but  clandestinely  I  found  an  opportunity  to  renew 
my  vows, — to  assure  Belmont  that  no  power  on  earth  should 
compel  me  to  renounce  him, — and  that  if  necessary  I  would 
wait  twenty  years  for  him  to  claim  me.  Older  and  wiser  than 
I,  he  realized  what  stretched  before  me,  and  while  repeatedly 
assuring  me  his  love  was  inextinguishable, — he  generously  at 
tempted  to  dissuade  me  from  defying  those  who  had  legal  con 
trol  of  me.  So  we  parted, — pledged  irrevocably  one  to  the 
other  ;  and  whenever  we  have  met,  since  that  summer,  it  has 
been  by  strategy.  My  mother  from  the  day  when  the  doom  of 
my  love  was  decreed, — has  been  as  deaf  to  my  pleadings,  and 
my  heart-breaking  cries, — as  the  Golden  Calf  was  to  the  indig 
nant  denunciations  of  Moses.  I  was  hurried  prematurely  into 
society,  thrown  into  a  maelstrom  of  gayety  that  whirled  me  as 
though  I  were  a  dancing  dervish, — and  left  me  apparently  no 
leisure  for  retrospection  or  regret ;  or  for  the  indulgence  of  the 
rosy  dream  that  lay  like  a  lovely  morning  cloud  above  and  be 
hind  me.  My  clothing  was  costly  and  tasteful ;  I  was  exhibited 
at  Saratoga,  Long  Branch  and  Newport, — those  popular  Human 
Expositions, —  where  wealth  and  fashion  flock  to  display  and 
compare  their  textile  fabrics  and  jewellery, — as  less  '  devel- 


346  INFELICE. 

oped '  cattle  still  on  four  feet — are  hurried  to  State  Fairs,  to  as 
certain  the  value  of  their  pearly  short  horns,  thin  tails,  and 
satin-coated  skins.  No  expense  or  pains  were  spared,  and  my 
mother's  step-son  certainly  lavished  his  money  as  well  as  ad 
vice,  upon  me.  At  long  intervals  I  had  stolen  interviews  with 
Belmont,  then  he  went  far  south  to  study  for  a  tropical  land 
scape,  and  was  absent  two  years.  When  he  returned,  beaming 
with  hope,  the  cloud  over  our  lives  seemed  silvering  at  the 
edges,  and  he  was  sanguine  that  his  picture  would  compel 
recognition,  and  bring  him  fame, — which  in  art, — means  food. 
But  Erie  Palma  had  resolved  otherwise.  It  was  our  misfortune, 
that  in  my  haste  to  see  the  picture,  I  neglected  my  usual  pre 
cautionary  measures  to  elude  suspicion,  and  your  guardian 
tracked  me  to  the  attic,  where  the  finishing  touches  were  being 
put  on.  Unluckily  Belmont  was  never  a  favorite  among  the 
artists,  and  he  explained  to  me  that  it  was  because  he  was 
proud,  reticent, — and  held  himself  aloof  from  their  club  life  and 
social  haunts.  Taking  advantage  of  his  personal  unpopularity, 
your  magnanimous  guardian  organized  a  cabal  against  him. 
No  sooner  was  the  painting  exhibited,  than  a  tirade  of  ridicule 
and  abuse  was  poured  upon  it,  and  the  journal  most  influential 
in  forming  and  directing  artistic  taste,  contained  an  overwhelm 
ingly  adverse  criticism,  which  was  written  by  a  particular  friend 
and  chum  of  Erie  Palma, — who — I  am  convinced  caused  its 
preparation.  Oh  Regina !  it  was  a  cruel  cruel  stab,  that  en 
tered  my  darling's  noble  tender  heart,  and  almost  maddened 
him.  In  literature,  savage  criticism  defeats  its  own  unamiable 
purpose,  by  promoting  the  sale  of  books,  it  is  designed  to 
crush  ;  but  unfortunately  this  law  does  not  often  operate  in  the 
department  of  painting.  In  a  fit  of  gloomy  despondency,  Bel 
mont  offered  his  lovely  work  for  a  mere  trifle,  but  the  picture 
dealers  declined  to  touch  it  at  any  price,  and  rashly  cutting  it 
from  the  frame,  he  threw  the  labor  of  years  into  the  flames. 
Meantime  grandmamma  had  died,  and  Belmont's  mother  be 
came  hopelessly  bedridden,  while  his  young  brother  had  made 
his  way  to  Europe,  where  he  occupied  a  menial  position  in  a 


INFELICE. 


34' 


sculptor's  atelier  at  Florence.  A  more  rigid  surveillance  was 
exerted  over  me,  and  the  dancing  dervishes  crowned  me  queen 
of  their  revels.  By  day  and  by  night  I  was  surrounded  with 
influences  intended  to  beguile  me  from  the  past,  to  narcotize 
memory, — to  make  me  in  reality  the  heartless,  soulless,  scoffing 
creature  that  I  certainly  seem.  But  Erie  Palma  has  found  me 
stiff  tough  clay,  and  despite  his  efforts,  I  have  been  true  to  the 
one  love  of  my  life.  What  I  have  suffered,  none  but  the  listen 
ing  watching  God  above  us,  knows ;  and  sometimes  I  despise 
and  loathe  myself  for  the  miserable  subterfuges  I  am  forced  to 
practise,  in  order  to  elude  my  keepers.  Poor  mamma  loves 
me, — after  a  selfish  worldly  fashion,  and  there  are  moments 
when  I  really  think  she  pities  me  ;  but  from  Palma  influence 
and  association  wealth  has  long  been  her  most  precious  fetich. 
Poverty,  obscurity  terrify  her,  and  for  the  fleshpots  of  Fashion 
she  would  literally  sell  me,  as  she  once  sold  herself  to  Godwin 
Palma.  Repeatedly  I  have  been  urged  to  accept  offers  of 
marriage  that  revolted  every  instinct  of  my  nature, — that  seemed 
insulting  to  a  woman  who  long  ago  gave  away  all  that  was 
best,  in  her  heart's  idolatrous  love.  To-day  my  Belmont  is  ten 
fold  dearer,  than  when  in  the  dawning  flush  of  womanhood,  I 
plighted  my  lifelong  faith  to  him  ;  and  reigns  more  royally  than 
ever,  over  all  that  is  good  and  true  in  my  perverted  and  cynical 
nature.  I  cling  to  him,  to  my  faith  in  his  noble,  manly,  unself 
ish,  undying  love  for  me, — unworthy  as  I  know  I  have  grown, — 
even  as  a  drowning  wretch  to  some  overhanging  bough,  which 
alone  saves  her  from  the  black  destruction  beneath.  Unable 
to  conquer  the  opposition  he  encountered  here,  Belmont  went 
West,  and  finally  strayed  into  the  solitudes  of  Oregon  and 
British  America.  At  one  time,  for  a  year,  I  did  not  know 
whether  he  were  living  or  dead, — and  what  torture  I  silently 
endured  !  Six  months  ago  he  returned,  buoyed  by  the  hope  of 
retrieving  his  past ;  and  one  of  his  pictures  was  bought  by  a 
wealthy  man  in  Philadelphia,  who  has  commissioned  him  to 
paint  two  more  landscapes.  At  last  we  began  to  dream  of  an 
bumble  little  home  'somewhere,  where  at  least  we  should  have 


348  INFELICE. 

the  blessing  of  our  mutual  love  and  presence.  The  thought 
was  magnetic, — it  showed  me  there  was  some  good  left  in  my 
poor  scoffing  soul ;  that  I  possessed  capacity  for  happiness,  for 
self-sacrificing  devotion  to  my  noble  Belmont, — that  made  our 
future  seem  a  canticle.  Oh  !  how  delicious  was  the  release  I 
imagined  !  " 

She  groaned  aloud,  and  rocked  herself  to  and  fro,  with  a 
hopelessness  that  awed  and  grieved  her  pale  mute  listener. 

"  The  Fates  are  fond  of  Erie  Palma.  They  will  pet  him  to 
the  end,  for  he  is  a  man  after  their  own  flinty  hearts  ; — piti 
less  as  those  grim  three,  whom  Michael  Angelo  must  have  seen 
during  nightmare.  When  I  think  how  he  will  gloat  over  the 
overthrow  of  my  darling  hope,  I  feel  that  it  is  scarcely  safe  for 
me  to  remain  under  his  roof, — I  am  so  powerfully  tempted  to 
strangle  him.  Exposure  to  the  rigor  of  two  winters  in  the  far 
North-West,  has  seriously  undermined  Belmont's  health.  His 
physician  apprehends  consumption,  and  orders  him  to  hasten  to 
Southern  Europe,  or  South  America." 

For  some  moments  Olga  was  silent,  and  her  mournful  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  wall,  with  a  half  vacant  stare,  as  her  thoughts 
wandered  to  her  unfortunate  lover. 

Regina  could  scarcely  realize  that  this  pallid  face  so  full  of 
anguish,  was  the  radiant  mocking  countenance  she  had  hitherto 
seen  only  in  mask, — and  taking  her  hand,  she  pressed  it  gently, 
to  recall  her  attention. 

"  Feeling  as  you  do,  dear  Olga,  how  can  you  think  of  marry 
ing  Mr.  Congreve  ?  " 

"  Marrying  him  !  I  do  not, — I  am  not  yet  quite  so  degraded 
as  that  implies.  I  would  sooner  buy  a  pistol,  or  an  ounce  of 
arsenic,  and  end  all  this  misery.  While  Belmont  lives, — I 
belong  to  him, — I  love  him  as  I  never  have  loved  any  one 
else  ;  but  when  he  is  taken  from  me, — only  Heaven  sees — 
That  will  be  my  wretched  fate.  Destiny  has  made  a  foot-ball 
of  the  most  precious  hope  that  ever  gladdened  a  woman's  heart, 
• — and  when  the  end  comes, — I  rather  think  Erie  Palma  will 
not  curl  his  granite  lips,  and  taunt  me.  '  My  assent  to  the 


INFELICE.  349 

Congreve  purchase  is  but  a  ruse, — in  other  words,  honest 
words — a  disgraceful  subterfuge, — fraud, — to  gain  time.  I  can 
bear  the  life  I  lead,  no  longer,  and  ere  many  days  I  shall  burst 
my  fetters,  and  snatch  freedom, — no  matter  what  cost  I  pay 
hereafter." 

"  Olga  you  cannot  mean  that  you  intend  " 

"  No  matter  what  I  intend,  I  shall  not  falter  when  the  time 
comes.  Yesterday  I  went  to  see  his  mother, — poor  patient 
sufferer, — and  to. learn  the  latest  tidings  from  my  darling.  You 
saw  me  when  I  entered,  and  no  doubt  puzzled  your  brains  to 
reconcile  the  inconsistency  of  my  conduct.  Your  delicate  re 
ticence  entitles  you  to  this  explanation.  Now  you  know  all 
my  sorrow,  and  no  matter  what  happens,  you  must  not  betray 
my  movements.  From  this  house,  my  letters  to  Belmont  have 
been  intercepted,  and  our  correspondence  has  long  been  con 
ducted  under  cover  to  his  mother." 

"Where  is  he  now?" 

"  In  Philadelphia." 

«  How  is  he?" 

"  No  better.  His  physician  says  January  must  find  him  en 
route  to  a  warmer  climate." 

"  When  did  you  see  him  last  ?  " 

"  In  September.  Even  then  his  cough  rendered  me  anxious, 
but  he  laughed  at  my  apprehensions.  Oh  God  !  be  merciful 
to  him  and  to  me  !  I  know  I  am  unworthy, — I  know  I  have 
a  bitter  wicked  tongue,  and  a  world  of  hate  in  my  heart, — but  if 
God  would  be  pitiful,  if  He  only  spares  my  darling's  life, — I  will 
try  to  be  a  better  woman." 

She  leaned  her  head  once  more  on  Regina's  shoulder,  and 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears, — the  first  her  companion  had  ever  seen 
her  shed.  After  some  minutes,  the  sympathizing  listener  said  : 

"  Perhaps  if  you  appealed  frankly  to  Mr.  Palma,  and  showed 
him  the  dreadful  suffering  of  your  heart,  he  would  relent." 

"  You  do  not  know  him.  Does  a  lion  relent,  with  his  paw 
upon  his  prey  ?  " 

"  His  opposition  must  arise  from  an  erroneous  view  of  what 


350  IN  FELICE: 

would  best  promote  your  happiness.  He  cannot  be  actuated 
by  merely  vindictive  motives,  and  I  am  sure  he  would  sympa 
thize  with  you,  if  he  realized  the  intensity  of  your  feelings." 

"  I  would  as  soon  expect  ancient  Cheops  to  dissolve  in 
tears,  at  the  recital  of  my  woes  ; — or  that  statue  of  Washington 
in  Union  Place  to  dismount  and  wipe  my  eyes  !  An  Eggleston 
once  defied  and  triumphed  over  him  in  the  Court-room  ;  and 
defeat, — Erie  Palma  never  forgets,  never  forgives.  He  pro 
poses  to  give  me  ten  thousand  dollars  as  a  bridal  present,  when 
owning  millions,  I  need  it  not ; — and  to-day  one  half  that 
amount  would  make  me  the  happiest  woman  in  all  America, — 
would  enable  Belmont  to  travel  South  and  re-establish  his 
health, — would  render  two  wretched  souls  everlastingly  happy, 
- — and  grateful  !  Ah  how  happy  !  " 

"  Tell  him  so  !  Try  him  just  once  more,  and  I  have  an  abid 
ing  faith  that  he  will  generously  respond  to  your  appeal." 

Olga  looked  compassionately  at  her  companion  for  an  in 
stant,  and  the  old  bitter  laugh  jarred  upon  the  girl's  ears. 

"  Poor  little  dove  trying  your  wings  in  the  upper  air, — flash 
ing  the  silver  in  the  sun  ; — fancying  you  are  free  to  circle  in 
the  heavens  so  blue  above  you  !  Your  wary  hawk — watches 
patiently,  only  waiting  for  you  to  soar  a  little  higher,  venture  a 
little  farther  from  the  shelter  of  the  dovecote  ; — then  he  will 
strike  you  down, — fasten  his  talons  in  your  heart,  '  Be  ye  wise 
as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves.'  The  first  you  have  yet 
to  learn, — and  with  Erie  Palma  as  your  preceptor,  your  pro 
spective  tuition  fees  are  heavy.  You  are  a  sweet  good  earnest- 
hearted  child, — but  in  this  house,  you  need  to  be  something 
quite  different, — a  Seraph.  Do  you  understand  ?  Now  you 
are  only  a  cherub,  which  in  the  original  means  dove  ;  but 
some  day,  if  you  live  here,  you  will  learn  the  wisdom  of  the 
Seraph, — which  means  serpent  !  I  know  little  '  Latin,  less 
Greek,'  no  Hebrew, — but  a  learned  seer  of  New  England 
taught  me  this." 

She  tossed  aside  the  bedclothes,  and  sprang  out  upon  the 
floor,  wrapping  herself  in  her  cherry  colored  shawl. 


INFELICE. 


35' 


"  Five  o'clock  I  daresay.  Out  of  doors  it  is  gray  daylight, 
and  I  must  go  back  to  my  own  room  unobserved.  What  a 
world  of  sorrowful  sympathy  shines  in  your  wonderful  eyes  ? 
What  a  pity  you  can't  die  now,  just  as  you  are,  for  then  your 
pure  sinless  soul  would  float  straight  to  that  Fifth  Heaven  of 
the  Midrash, — '  Gan-Eden,'  which  is  set  apart  exclusively  for 
the  souls  of  noble  women, — and  Pharaoh's  daughter  who  is 
presumed  to  be  Queen  there,  would  certainly  make  you  maid 
of  honor  !  One  word  more,  before  I  run  away.  Do  you  know 
why  Cleopatra  is  coming  here  ?  " 

"  Olga  I  do  not  in  the  least  understand  half  you  are  saying." 

Olga's  large  white  hand  smoothed  back  the  hair  that  clouded 
the  girl's  forehead,  and  she  asked  almost  incredulously: 

"  Don't  you  really  know  that  the  Sorceress  of  the  Nile  drifts 
hither  in  her  gilded  barge  ?  You  have  heard  of  BrunellaCarew, 
the  richest  woman  in  the  Antilles  ?  She  is  the  most  dangerous 
of  smooth-skinned  witches, — as  fascinating  as  Phryne, — but 
more  wisely  discreet.  When  you  see  her  you  will  be  at  once 
reminded  of  Owen  Meredith's  'Fatality:' 

*  Live  hair  afloat  with  snakes  of  gold, 
And  a  throat  as  white  as  snow, 
And  a  stately  figure  and  foot 
And  that  faint  pink  smile,  so  sweet,  so  cold.' 

Just  now  this  Cuban  widow  is  the  fashionable  lioness  ; — she  is 
also  a  pet  clientele  of  Erie  Palma,  and  comes  here  to-day  on  a 
brief  visit.  Heaven  grant  she  prove  his  Lamia  !  As  she  affects 
Oriental  style,  I  call  her  Cleopatra,  which  pleases  her  vastly. 
Having  been  endowed  at  birth  with  beauty  and  fortune,  her 
remaining  ambition  is  to  appear  fastidious  in  literature,  and 
dilettante  in  art,  and  if  you  wish  to  stretch  her  on  St.  Lawrence's 
gridiron,  you  have  only  to  offer  a  quotation  or  illustration 
which  she  cannot  understand.  Beware  of  the  poison  of  asps. 
There  is  an  object  to  be  accomplished  by  inviting  her  here,  and 
you  may  safely  indulge  the  belief  that  her  own  campaign  is 
well  matured.  Keep  your  solemn  sinless  eyes  wide  open,  and 


352 


INFELICE. 


don't  under  any  circumstances  quarrel  with  poor  Elliott  Ros- 
coe.  One  drop  of  his  blood  floats  more  generosity  and  magna 
nimity, — than  all  the  blue  ice  in  his  cousin's  body.  He  was  in 
a  savage  mood  last  night  at  Mrs.  Tarrant's,  and  had  some  angry 
words  with  your  guardian,  who  of  course  treated  him,  as  he 
would  a  spoiled  boy.  Roscoe  at  least  has,  or  had  a  heart. 
There  is  the  day  staring  at  us  !  I  must  be  gone.  Remember 
— I  have  trusted  you." 

She  left  the  room,  closing  the  door  noiselessly,  and  Regina 
was  lost  in  perplexing  conjectures  concerning  the  significance 
of  her  parting  warning. 

It  was  not  yet  eight  o'clock  when  she  descended  to  the 
breakfast  room,  but  Mr.  Palma.was  already  there, — and  stood 
at  the  window,  with  an  open  newspaper  which  he  appeared  to 
scan  very  intently. 

In  answer  to  her  subdued  "good-morning,"  he  merely  bowed, 
without  turning  his  head,  and  she  rang  the  bell  and  took  her 
place  at  the  table. 

While  she  scalded  and  wiped  the  cups,  (one  of  his  require 
ments,)  he  walked  to  the  hearth,  glanced  at  his  watch,  and  said  : 

"  Let  me  have  my  coffee  at  once.  I  have  an  early  engage 
ment.  As  it  threatens  snow,  you  must  keep  indoors  to-day." 

"  I  am  obliged  to  attend  the  Cantata  rehearsal  at  Mrs. 
Brompton's." 

"  Then  I  will  order  the  carriage  placed  at  your  disposal. 
What  hour?" 

"One  o'clock?" 

Upon  her  plate  lay  a  sealed  envelope,  and  as  she  pu1:  it  in 
her  pocket,  his  keen  eyes  searched  her  countenance. 

"  Did  you  sleep  well?  I  should  judge  you  had  not  closed 
your  eyes." 

"  I  wrote  a  long  letter  to  mother,  and  afterward  I  could  not 
sleep." 

"You  look  as  if  you  had  grown  five  years  older,  since  you 
gave  me  my  coffee  yesterday.  When  the  rehearsal  ends,  I 
wish  you  to  come  directly  home  and  go  to  sleep ;  for  there  will 


INFELICE.  353 

be  company  here  to-day,  and  it  might  be  rather  unflattering  to 
me  as  guardian,  to  present  my  ward  to  strangers,  and  imagine 
their  comments  on  your  weary  hollow-eyes,  and  face — as 
blanched,  as  '  pale  as  Seneca's  Paulina.'  " 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

JOTWITHSTANDING  the  snow  which  fell  steadily  at 
one  o'clock,  all  who  were  to  take  part  in  the  "  Can 
tata,"  assembled  punctually  at  Mrs.  Brompton's,  and 
as  Rcgina  hurried  down  to  the  carriage,  she  found  that  Mrs. 
Carew,  her  little  daughter  and  maid,  had  just  arrived.  Avoid 
ing  a  presentation,  she  proceeded  at  once  to  the  "  Rehearsal," 
and  dismissed  the  carriage, — assuring  Farley  that  it  was  wrong 
to  keep  the  horses  out  in  such  inclement  weather ;  and  as  she 
was  provided  with  "  waterproof,"  overshoes  and  umbrella,  would 
walk  home. 

The  musical  exercises  were  unusually  tedious,  the  choruses 
were  halting  and  uneven, — and  the  repetitions  seemed  endless. 
The  day  darkened,  and  the  great  bronze  chandeliers  were 
lighted,  and  still  Professor  Hurtzsel  mercilessly  flourished  his 
baton,  and  required  new  trials  ;  until  at  length  feverishly  im 
patient,  Regina  having  satisfactorily  rendered  her  solos,  re 
quested  and  received  permission  to  retire. 

It  was  almost  four  o'clock,  the  hour  designated  for  her  meet 
ing,  when  she  enveloped  herself  in  her  waterproof  cloak,  drew 
the  hood  over  her  hat,  and  almost  ran  for  several  squares  from 
Mrs.  Brompton's,  toward  a  line  of  street  cars  which  would  con 
vey  her  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Park.  She  succeeded  in  meeting 
an  upward-bound  car,  entered,  and  breathed  more  freely. 

It  was  quite  crowded,  and  forced  to  stand  up,  Regina  steadied 
herself  by  one  of  the  leathern  straps  suspended  from  the  roof. 
At  her  side  was  an  elderly  gentleman  with  very  white  hair,  eye- 


354 


INFELICE. 


brows,  and  moustache,  who  was  muffled  in  a  heavy  overcoat, 
and  leaned  upon  a  gold-headed  cane.  Soon  after,  another  pas 
senger  pressed  in,  elbowed  his  way  forward,  and  touching  the 
old  gentleman,  exclaimed  : 

"  Col.  Tichnor — in  America  !  And  above  all  in  a  street  car  ! 
When  did  you  arrive  ?  " 

"  Last  week.  These  cars  are  too  democratic  for  men  with 
gouty  feet ;  but  I  dislike  to  bring  my  horses  out  in  such  weather. 
Not  more  than  a  dozen  people  have  stood  on  my  toes,  during 
the  last  fifteen  minutes.  Ringold  how  is  Palma  ?  Prosperous 
as  ever  ?  " 

"  If  you  had  been  at  Mrs.  Tarrant's  last  night,  you  would  not 
need  to  inquire.  Positively  we  younger  men  have  no  showing 
when  he  deigns  to  enter  the  beaux  list.  He  is  striding  upward 
in  his  profession,  and  you  know  there  is  no  limit  to  his  ambition. 
Hitherto  he  has  cautiously  steered  clear  of  politics,  but  it  is 
rumored  that  a  certain  caucus  will  probably  tender  him  the 
nomination  for" 

Here  a  child  close  to  Regina  cried  out  so  sharply,  that  she 
could  not  hear  several  sentences, — and  when  quiet  was  restored, 
the  young  gentleman  was  saying : 

"  Very  true  ; — there  is  no  accounting  for  taste.  It  does  appear 
queer  that  after  living  a  bachelor  so  long,  he  should  at  last 
surrender  to  a  widow.  But  my  dear  Sir,  she  is  a  perfect  Circe, 
— and  I  suspect  those  immense  estates  in  Cuba  and  Jamaica 
are  quite  as  potential  with  Palma,  as  her  other  undeniable 
charms.  Last  night  as  he  promenaded  with  her,  it  was  con 
ceded  that  they  were  the  handsomest  couple  in  the  room  ;  and 
Mrs.  Grundy  has  patted  them  on  the  head,  and  bestowed  the 
approved, — '  Heaven  bless  you  my  children.'  Palma  is  the 
proudest  man  in" 

"  Here  is  my  street.     Good-day  Ringold." 

The  elderly  gentleman  left  the  car,  and  after  awhile  the  young 
man  also  departed ;  but  there  seemed  no  diminution  of  the 
crowd,  and  as  the  track  was  heavy  with  drifting  snow,  the  horses 
moved  slowly.  At  last  they  reached  a  point  where  the  line  of 


INF  ELI  CE.  355 

road  turned  away  from  the  direction  in  which  Regina  desired  to 
go,  and  quitting  the  car,  she  walked  toward  East Street. 

After  the  heated  atmosphere  she  had  just  left,  the  sharp 
biting  cold  was  refreshing,  and  against  the  glistening  needles  of 
snow  she  pressed  rapidly  on,  until  finally  the  trees  in  the  Square 
gladdened  her  eyes. 

Near  one  of  the  corners,  stood  a  large  close  carriage,  whose 
driver  was  enveloped  in  a  cloak,  and  protected  by  an  umbrella, 
while  the  yellow  silk  inside  curtains  were  drawn  down  over  the 
windows. 

Agitated  by  contending  emotions,  of  reluctance  to  meeting 
the  man  whose  presence  was  so  painful, — and  of  dread  lest  he 
had  grown  impatient,  and  might  present  himself  to  her  guardian, 
Regina  hastened  into  the  Square,  and  looked  eagerly  about  the 
deserted  walks. 

Pressed  against  the  south  side  of  a  leafless  tree  whose  trunk 
partly  shielded  him  from  the  driving  snow-laden  north-east  wind, 
Peleg  Peterson  stood  watching  her, — and  as  she  approached, 
he  came  forward. 

"  Better  late  than  never.  How  long  did  you  expect  me  to 
wait  here,  with  the  cold  eating  into  my  vitals  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  am  very  sorry,  but  I  could  not  come  a  moment 
sooner." 

"Who  is  in  that  carnage  yonder?" 

"  I  do  not  know.      How  should  I  ?  " 

"  There  is  something  suspicious  about  it.  Is  it  waiting  for 
you  ?" 

"Certainly  not.  No  human  being  knows  where  I  am  at  this 
moment.  Here  are  forty-five  dollars, — every  cent  that  I 
possess.  You  must  not  expect  me  to  aid  you  in  future,  for 
I  shall  not  be  able  ;  and  moreover  I  shall  be  subjected  to 
suspicion  if  I  come  here  again.''' 

She  handed  him  the  money  rolled  up  in  a  small  package, 
and  he  deposited  it  in  his  pocket. 

"  You  might  at  least  have  made  it  a  hundred." 

"  I  have  no  more  money." 


356  INFELICE. 

"  Do  you  still  doubt  that  you  are  my  child  ?  " 

"When  you  make  your  claim  in  a  court  of  justice,  as  you 
yesterday  threatened,  the  proofs  must  be  established.  Until 
then,  I  shall  not  discuss  it  with  you.  I  have  an  abiding  faith 
in  the  instincts  of  nature,  and  I  believe  that  when  I  stand 
before  my  father,  my  heart  will  unmistakably  proclaim  it. 
From  you,  it  shrinks  with  dread  and  horror." 

"Because  Minnie  taught  you  to  hate  me.  I  knew  she 
would." 

"  Mother  never  mentioned  your  name  to  me.  Only  to 
Hannah,  am  I  indebted  for  any  knowledge  of  you.  Where  is 
Hannah  now  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  We  quarrelled  not  long  ago.  Regina  I 
want  your  photograph.  I  want  to  wear  my  daughter's  picture 
over  my  heart." 

He  moved  closer  to  her,  and  put  out  his  arm,  but  she  sprang 
back. 

"You  must  not  touch  me, — at  least  not  now;  not  until  I 
can  hear  from  mother.  I  have  no  photographs  of  myself. 
The  only  picture  taken  for  years,  is  a  portrait  which  Mr. 
Palma  had  painted,  and  sent  to  mother.  In  any  emergency 
that  may  occur, — if  you  should  be  really  ill,  or  in  actual  suffer 
ing  and  want,  write  to  me,  and  address  your  letter  according 
to  the  directions  on  this  slip  of  paper.  Mrs.  Mason  will 
always  see  that  your  note  reaches  me  safely.  You  look  very 
cold,  and  I  must  hasten  back,  or  my  absence  might  cause 
questions  and  censure.  I  shall  find  out  everything  from 
mother,  for  she  will  not  deceive  me ;  and  if, — if  what  you 
say  is  true, — then  I  shall  know  what  is  my  duty, — and  you 
jr -list  believe  that  I  shall  perform  it.  I  pray  to  God  that  you 
I  iy  not  be  my  father,  and  I  cannot  believe  that  you  are, — but 
if  after  all,  you  prove  your  claim,  I  will  do  what  is  right.  I 
will  take  your  hand  then, — and  face  the  world's  contempt ; — 
and  we  will  bear  our  disgrace  together, — as  best  we  may. 
When  I  know  you  are  my  father,  I  will  pay  you  all  that  a  child 
owes  a  parent.  This,  I  promise  you." 


INFELICE.  257 

Her  face  was  well-nigh  as  white  as  the  snow  that  covered 
and  fringed  her  hood ;  and  out  of  its  pallid  beauty,  the  sad 
eyes  looked  steadfastly  into  the  bloated  visage  before  her. 

"  I  believe  you  !  There  spoke  my  girl !  You  are  true  steel, 
and  worth  a  hundred  of  Minnie.  Some  day  my  pretty  child, 
you  and  I  shall  know  one  another,  as  father  and  daughter 
should." 

He  once  more  attempted  to  touch  her,  but  vigilant  and 
agile  she  eluded  his  hand,  and  said  decisively : 

"  You  have  all  that  I  can  give  you  now  ; — the  money.  Don't 
put  your  hand  on  me,  for  as  yet,  I  deny  your  parental  claim. 
When  I  know  I  am  your  child,  you  shall  find  me  obedient  in 
all  things.  Now  Sir, — good-by." 

Turning,  she  ran  swiftly  away,  and  glanced  over  her  shoulder, 
fearful  of  pursuit,  but  the  figure  stood  where  she  had  left  him; 
was  occupied  in  counting  the  money, — and  breathing  more 
freely,  Regina  shook  the  snow  from  her  wrappings,  from  her 
umbrella,  and  walked  homeward. 

Had  she  purchased  a  sufficient  reprieve  to  keep  him  quiet, 
until  she  could  hear  from  her  mother,  and  receive  the  expected 
summons  to  join  her  ?  Or  was  this  but  an  illusive  relief,  a  mere 
momentary  lull  in  the  tempest  of  humiliation  that  was  mutter 
ing  and  darkening  aroiind  her  ? 

She  had  walked  only  a  short  distance  from  the  Square, — and 
was  turning  a  corner,  when  she  ran  against  a  gentleman  hurry 
ing  from  the  opposite  direction. 

"  Pray  pardon  me  Miss." 

She  could  not  suppress  the  cry  that  broke  from  her  lips. 

"Oh  Mr.  Palma!" 

He  turned,  as  though  he  had  not  until  now,  recognized  her^ 
but  there  was  no  surprise  in  his  stern  fixed  face. 

"  I  thought  Mrs.  Brompton  resided  on  West Street  ; 

had  not  heard  of  her  change  of  residence.  From  the  length 
of  your  rehearsal  you  certainly  should  be  perfect  in  your 
performance.  It  is  now  half-past  five,  and  I  think  you 
told  me  you  commenced  at  one  ?  Rather  disagreeable 


358  INF E  LICE. 

weather  for  you  to  be  out.  Wait  here,  under  this  awning,  till 
I  come  back." 

He  was  absent  not  more  than  five  minutes,  and  returned 
with  a  close  carriage  ;  but  a  glance  sufficed  to  show  her  it  was 
not  the  one  she  had  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Square. 

As  he  opened  the  door  and  beckoned  her  forward,  he  took 
her  umbrella,  handed  her  in, — and  with  one  keen  cold  look 
into  her  face,  said  : 

"I  trust  my  ward's  dinner  toilette  will  be  an  improvement 
upon  her  present  appearance,  as  several  guests  have  been  in 
vited.  The  Cantata  must  have  bored  you  immensely." 

He  bowed,  closed  the  door,  directed  the  driver  to  the  num 
ber  of  his  residence  on  Fifth  Avenue,  and  disappeared. 

Sinking  down  in  one  corner,  Regina  shut  her  eyes,  and 
groaned.  Could  his  presence  have  been  accidental  ?  She  had 
given  no  one  a  clue  to  her  movements,  and  how  could  he  have 
followed  her  circuitous  route  after  leaving  Mrs.  Brompton's? 
He  had  evinced  no  surprise,  had  asked  no  explanation  of  her 
conduct, — but  would  he  abstain  in  future  ?  Was  his  promise 
to  trust  her,  the  cause  of  his  forbearance  ?  Or  was  it  attribut 
able  to  the  fact,  that  his  thoughts  were  concentrated  upon  that 
lady,  with  whose  name,  people  were  associating  his  ? 

The  strain  upon  her  nerves  was  beginning  to  relax ;  her 
head  ached, — her  eyes  smarted,  and  she  felt  sick  and  faint. 
Like  one  in  a  perplexing  dream,  she  was  whirled  along  the 
streets,  and  at  last  reached  home. 

The  house  was  already  brilliantly  lighted,  for  the  day  had 
closed  prematurely,  with  the  darkness  of  the  increasing  snow, 
and  in  the  seclusion  of  her  own  room  the  girl  threw  herself 
dovvi  in  a  rocking-chair. 

Everything  seemed  dancing  in  kaleidoscopic  confusion,  and 
amid  the  chaos,  only  one  grim  fact  was  immovable, — she  must 
dress  and  go  down  to  dinner.  Just  now,  unwelcome  as  was 
the  task,  she  dared  not  neglect  it,  for  her  absence  might  stimu 
late  the  investigation  she  so  much  dreaded,  and  wearily  she 
rose  and  began  her  toilette. 


INF  ELI  CE.  359 

At  half- past  seven  Hattie  entered. 

'"  Aren't  you  ready  Miss  ?  Mrs.  Palrna  says  you  must  hurry 
down,  for  the  company  are  all  in  the  parlor,  and  Mr.  Pal  ma 
has  asked  for  you.  Stop  a  minute — Miss.  Your  sash  is  all 
crooked.  There — all  right.  Let  me  tell  you,  there  is  more 
lace  and  velvet  down-stairs  than  you  can  show,  and  jewelry  ! 
No  end  of  it !  But  as  for  born  good  looks, — you  can  outface 
them  all." 

"  Don't  I  look  very  pale  and  jaded?" 

"  Very  white — Miss  ;  you  always  do, — and  red  cheeks  would 
be  as  much  out  of  your  style,  as  paint  on  a  corpse.  I  can  tell 
you  what  you  do  look  like, — more  than  ever  I  saw  you  before  ; 
— that  marble  figure  with  the  dove  on  its  finger,  which  stands 
in  the  front  parlor  bay-window." 

It  was  Mr.  Palma' s  pet  piece  of  sculpture, — a  statue  of 
"  Innocence,"  originally  intended  for  his  library,  but  Mrs. 
Palma  had  pleaded  for  permission  to  exhibit  it  down-stairs. 

During  Regina's  residence  in  New  York,  scarcely  a  week 
elapsed  without  her  meeting  guests  at  the  dinner-table,  and  the 
frequency  of  the  occurrence  had  quite  worn  away  the  awkward 
shyness,  with  which  she  had  at  first  confronted  strangers.  Yet 
to-day  she  felt  nervously  timid  as  she  approached  the  threshold 
of  the  brilliant  room,  and  caught  a  glimpse  of  those  within. 

Two  gentlemen  stood  on  the  rug,  talking  with  Olga,  a  third 
sat  on  a  sofa  engaged  in  conversation  with  Mrs.  Palma,  while 
Mrs.  St.  Clare  and  her  daughter  entertained  two  strangers  in 
the  opposite  corner, — and  on  a  tete-a-tete  drawn  conspicuously 
forward  under  the  chandelier,  were  Mr.  Palma  and  Mrs.  Carew. 

Regina  merely  glanced  at  Olga  long  enough  to  observe  how 
handsome  she  appeared,  in  her  rose-hued  silk,  with  its  rich 
black  lace  garniture,  and  the  spray  of  crushed  pink  roses 
drooping  against  her  neck, — then  her  gaze  dwelt  upon  the 
woman  under  the  chandelier. 

Unusually  tall,  and  proportionately  developed,  her  size  might 
safely  have  been  pronounced  heroic,  and  would  by  comparison 
have  dwarfed  a  man  of  less  commanding  stature  than  Mr. 


360  INFELICE. 

Palma ;  yet  so  symmetrical  was  the  outline  of  face  and  figure, 
that  the  type  seemed  well  nigh  faultless,  and  she  might  have 
served  as  a  large-limbed  rounded  model  for  those  majestic 
women  whom  Buonaroti  painted  for  the  admiration  of  all  hu 
manity,  upon  the  walls  of  the  Sistine. 

The  face  was  oval,  with  a  remarkably  low  but  full  brow,  a 
straight  finely-cut  nose,  very  wide  between  the  eyes,  which 
were  large,  almond-shaped,  and  of  a  singularly  radiant  gray, 
with  long  curling  gold-tinted  lashes.  Her  complexion  was  of 
that  peculiar  creamy  colorlessness,  which  is  found  in  the  smooth 
petals  of  a  magnolia,  and  the  lips  were  outlined  in  bright  car 
mine  that  hinted  at  chemical  combinations,  so  ripe  and  lus 
cious  was  the  tint 

Had  she  really  stepped  down  from  some  glorious  old  Vene 
tian  picture,  bringing  that  crown  of  hair, — of  the  true  "  bion- 
dina"  hue,  so  rare  nowaday,  and  never  seen  in  perfection 
save  among  the  marbles  and  lagunes  of  crumbling  Venice  ?  Was 
it  natural,  that  mass  of  very  pale  gold, — so  pale  that  it  seemed 
a  flossy  heap  of  raw  silk, — or  had  she  by  some  subtle  stroke  of 
skill  discovered  the  secret  of  that  beautiful  artificial  coloring, 
which  was  so  successfully  practised  in  the  days  of  Giorgione  ? 

Her  dress  was  velvet,  of  that  light  lilac  tint  which  only  per 
fect  complexions  dare  approach, — was  cut  very  low  and  square 
in  front,  and  trimmed  with  a  profusion  of  gossamer  white  lace. 
Diamonds  flashed  on  her  neck  and  arms,  and  in  the  centre  of 
the  puffed  and  crimped  hair,  a  large  butterfly  of  diamonds 
scattered  light  upon  the  yellow  mass. 

Mr.  Palma  was  smiling  at  some  low  spoken  sentence  that 
rippled  like  Italian  poetry  over  her  full  lips, — when  his  eye  de 
tected  the  figure  hovering  near  the  door,  and  at  once  he  ad 
vanced,  and  drew  her  in. 

Without  taking  her  hand,  his  fingers  just  touched  her  sleeve, 
as  walking  beside  her  he  said  : 

"  Mrs.  Carew  ir.ust  allow  me  the  pleasure  of  presenting  my 
ward  Miss  Orme,  who  has  most  unpardonably  detained  us 
from  our  soup." 


INF  ELI  CE.  361 

The  stranger  smiled,  and  offered  her  hand. 

"  Ah  Miss  Ornie  !  I  shall  never  pardon  you  for  stealing  the 
only  heart,  whose  loyalty  I  'claim.  My  little  Llora  saw  you  at 
Mrs.  Brompton's,  heard  you  sing,  and  was  enchanted  with  your 
eyes, — which  she  assured  me  were, — '  blue  as  the  sky,  ma 
mere,  and  like  violets  with  black  lace  quilled  around  them.'  " 

Regina  barely  touched  the  ivory  hand  encrusted  with  costly 
jewels,  and  Mr.  Palma  dreAV  her  near  a  sofa,  where  sat  a  noble 
looking  elderly  gentleman,  slightly  bald,  and  whose  ample 
beard  and  long  moustache  were  snow  white,  although  his  eye 
brows  were  black,  and  his  fine  brown  eyes  sparkled  with  the 
fire  and  enthusiasm  of  youth. 

'•  My  ward,  Miss  Orme  has  a  juvenile  reverence  for  Congress 
men,  whom  knowing  only  historically,  she  fondly  considers 
above  and  beyond  the  common  clay  of  mankind, — regards  them 
as  the  worthy  successors  of  the  Roman  Patres  Conscripti,  and 
in  the  Honorable  Mr.  Chesley,  she  is  doubtless  destined  to 
realize  all  her  romantic  ideas  relative  to  American  Statesmen. 
Regina,  Mr.  Chesley  represents  California  in  the  council  of  the 
nation,  and  can  tell  you  all  about  those  wonderful  canons,  of 
which  you  were  speaking  last  week." 

The  guest  took  her  fingers,  shook  them  cordially,  and  look 
ing  into  his  fine  face,  the  girl  felt  a  sudden  thrill  run  through 
her  frame.  What  was  there  in  the  soft  brown  eyes,  and  shape 
of  the  brow  that  was  so  familiar ; — that  made  her  heart  beat  so 
fiercely  ? 

Mechanically  she  sat  down  near  him,  failing  to  answer  some 
trivial  question  from  Mrs.  Palma,  and  bowing  in  an  absent 
preoccupied  manner  to  the  remainder  of  the  guests. 

Fortunately,  dinner  was  announced  immediately,  and  as  Mrs. 
Palma  moved  away  on  Mr.  Chesley' s  arm,  while  Mr.  Palma 
gave  his  to  Mrs.  Carew,- — Regina  felt  a  cold  hand  seize  hers, 
and  lead  her  forward. 

"  Mr.  Roscoe  where  did  you  secrete  yourself?  I  was  not 
aware  that  you  were  in  the  room." 

"  Standing  near  the  window,  watching  you  bow  to  every 
16 


362  IN  FELICE. 

one  else.  Your  guardian  requested  me  to  hand  you  in  to 
dinner." 

Something  in  his  voice  and  manner  annoyed  her,  and  look 
ing  up,  she  said  coldly  : 

"  My  guardian  is  very  kind ;  but  I  regret  that  his  considera 
tion  in  providing  me  an  escort,  has  taxed  your  courtesy  so 
severely." 

Before  he  could  reply,  they  had  reached  the  table,  and  glanc 
ing  at  the  card  attached  to  the  bouquet  at  each  plate,  Regina 
found  her  chair  had  been  placed  next  to  Mr.  Chesley's,  while 
Olga  was  her  vis-a-vis. 

"  If  I  ask  you  a  question,  will  you  answer  it  truly  ?  "  said 
Elliott. 

"  That  depends  entirely  upon  what  it  may  prove.  If  a 
proper  one,  I  shall  answer  it  truly  ;  otherwise,  not  at  all." 

"  Was  it  of  your  own  free  will,  without  advice  or  bias,  that 
you  refused  the  interview  I  asked  you  to  grant  me  ?  " 

"  It  was." 

"  My  cousin  influenced  you  adversely  ?  " 

«<  No  Sir." 

"  He  is  purely  selfish  in  his  course  toward"— 

"  At  least  it  is  ungrateful  and  unbecoming  in  you  to  accuse 
him,  and  I  will  not  hear  you." 

She  turned  her  face  toward  Mr.  Chesley,  who  was  carrying  on 
an  animated  conversation  with  Mrs.  Palma,  and  some  moments 
elapsed  before  Elliott  resumed  : 

"  Regina  I  must  see  you  alone,  sometime  this  evening." 

"Why?" 

"  To  demand  an  explanation  of  what  I  have  seen  and  heard, 
• — otherwise  1  would  not  credit." 

"  I  have  no  explanations  to  offer  on  any  subject.  If  you  refer 
to  a  conversation  which  Mr.  Palma  had  with  me  yesterday,  at 
your  request,  let  me  say  once  for  all,  that  I  cannot  consent  to 
its  revival.  Mr.  Roscoe  we  are  good  friends  now,  I  hope.; 
but  we  should  be  such  no  longer,  if  you  persist  in  violating  my 
wishes  in  this  matter  " 


INFELICE.  363 

"What  I  wish  to  say  to  you,  involves  your  own  safety  and 
happiness." 

"  I  am  grateful  for  your  kind  intentions,  but  they  result  from 
some  erroneous  impression.  My  individual  welfare  is  bound 
up  with  those,  whom  you  know  not,  and  at  all  events  I  prefer 
not  to  discuss  it." 

"  You  refuse  me  the  privilege  of  a  confidential  talk  with  you  f  " 

"  Yes  Mr.  Roscoe.  Now  be  pleasant,  and  let  us  converse 
on  some  more  agreeable  topic.  Did  you  ever  meet  Mrs.  Ca- 
rew,  until  to-day?  " 

He  was  too  angry  to  reply  immediately ;  but  after  a  little 
while  mastered  his  indignation. 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  Mrs.  Carew  quite  well." 

"  She  is  remarkably  beautiful." 

"  Oh  unquestionably !  And  she  knows  it  better  than  any 
other  article  in  her  creed.  New  York  is  spoiling  her  dread 
fully." 

He  turned  and  addressed  some  remarks  to  Miss  St.  Clare, 
who  sat  on  his  right,  and  Regina  rejoiced  in  the  opportunity 
afforded  her,  of  becoming  a  quiet  observer  and  listener.  She 
had  never  seen  her  guardian  so  animated,  so  handsome  as  now, 
— while  he  smiled  genially  and  talked  with  his  lovely  guest ; 
and  watching  them,  Regina  recollected  the  remark  concerning 
their  appearance,  which  had  been  made  by  the  gentleman  in 
the  car. 

Was  it  possible  that  after  all,  the  lawyer's  heart  had  been 
seriously  interested  ?  Could  that  satin-cheeked,  gray-eyed 
Circe  with  pale  yellow  hair  and  lashes,  hold  him  in  silken  bonds 
at  her  feet  ?  The  idea  that  he  could  be  captivated  by  any 
woman,  seemed  utterly  incompatible  with  all  that  his  ward  knew 
of  his  life  and  character,  and  it  had  appeared  an  established 
fact  that  he  was  incapable  of  any  tender  emotion  ;  but  cer 
tainly  at  this  instant,  the  expression  with  which  he  was  gazing 
down  into  Mrs.  Carew's  lotos  face,  was  earnestly  admiring. 
While  Regina  watched  the  pair,  a  cold  sensation  crept  over  her, 
as  on  some  mild  starlit  night,  one  suddenly  and  unconsciously 


364  INl'ELICE. 

drifts  under  the  lee  of  some  vast,  slow-sailing  iceberg, — and 
knows  not,  dreams  not  of  danger  until  smitten  with  the  fatal 
prophetic  chill. 

Suppose  the  ambitious  middle-aged  man  intended  to  marry 
this  wealthy,  petted,  lovely  widow,  was  it  not  in  all  respects  a 
brilliant  suitable  match,  which  le  beau  monde  would  cordially  ap 
plaud  ?  Was  there  a  possibility  that  she  would  decline  an  alli 
ance  with  that  proud  patrician,  whose  future  seemed  dazzling  ? 

In  birth,  fortune,  and  beauty  could  he  find  her  superior  ? 

The  flowers  in  the  tall  gold  epergne  in  the  centre  of  the  table, 
and  the  wreath  of  scarlet  camellias  that  swung  down  to  meet 
them  from  the  green  bronze  chandelier, — began  to  dance  a  sara 
band.  Silver,  crystal,  china, — even  the  human  figures  appeared 
whirling  in  a  misty  circle, — across  which  the  orange,  emerald, 
and  blue  tints  of  the  hock  glasses  shot  hither  and  thither  like 
witch-lights  on  the  Brocken ; — and  indistinct  and  spectral,  yet 
alluring, — gleamed  the  almond-shaped  gray  eyes,  with  their  gold 
fringes. 

With  a  quick  unsteady  motion,  Regina  grasped  and  drained 
a  goblet  of  iced  water,  and  after  a  little  while  the  mist  rolled 
away,  and  she  heard  once  more  the  voices  that  had  never  for 
an  instant  ceased  their  utterances. 

The  shuttlecock  of  conversation  was  well  kept  up,  from  all 
sides  of  the  table,  and  when  Regina's  thoughts  crept  back  from 
their  numbing  reverie,  Mr.  Chesley  was  eloquently  describing 
some  of  the  most  picturesque  localities  in  Oregon  "and  Cali 
fornia. 

Across  the  table,  floated  a  liquid  response. 

"  I  saw  in  Philadelphia,  a  large  painting  of  that  particular 
spot,  and  though  not  remarkably  well  done,  it  enables  one  to 
form  an  approximate  idea  of  the  grandeur  of  the  scenery." 

Mr.  Chesley  bowed  to  Mrs.  Carew,  and  answered  : 

"  I  met  the  artist,  while  upon  his  sketching  tour,  and  was 
deeply  interested  in  his  success.  At  one  time,  I  hoped  he 
would  cast  matrimonial  anchor  in  San  Francisco,  and  remain 
among  us  ;  but  his  fickle  fair  one  deserted  him  for  a  young  naval 


INFFLTCF.  365 

officer,  and  after  her  marriage,  California  possessed  few  charms 
for  him.  I  pitied  poor  Eggleston  most  cordially." 

"  Then  permit  me  to  assure  you,  that  you  are  needlessly 
expending  your  sympathy,  for  I  bear  witness  to  the  fact  that  his 
wounds  have  cicatrized.  A  fair  Philadelphian  has  touched 
them  with  her  fairy  finger, — and  at  present  he  bows  at  another 
shrine." 

Shivering  with  sympathy  for  Olga,  Regina  could  not  refrain 
from  looking  at  her,  while  Mrs.  Carew  spoke,  and  marvelled  at 
the  calm  deference,  the  smiling  insouciance  with  which  her  hazel 
eyes  rested  on  the  speaker.  Then  they  wandered  as  if  acciden 
tally  to  the  countenance  of  Mr.  Palma,  and  a  lambent  flame 
seemed  to  kindle  in  their  brown  depths. 

"  Mr.  Eggleston  has  talent,  and  I  am  surprised  that  he  has 
not  been  more  successful,"  replied  the  Congressman. 

Mr.  Palma  was  pressing  Mrs.  St.  Clare  to  take  more  wine, 
and  appeared  deaf  to  the  conversation,  but  Mrs.  Carew's  flute- 
like  voice  responded  : 

"  Yes,  a  certain  order  of  talent  for  mere  landscape  painting , 
but  he  should  never  attempt  a  higher  or  different  style.  He 
made  a  wretched  copy  of  the  Crucifixion,  for  a  wealthy  retired 
tailor,  who  boasts  of  his  investments  in  *  virtue  and  bigotry,' — 
and  I  fear  I  gave  mortal  offence  by  venturing  to  say  to  the 
owner,  that  it  reminded  me  of  the  criticism  of  Luis  de  Vargas 
on  a  similar  failure :  '  Methinks  he  is  saying,  Forgive  them 
Lord,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do.'  " 

"  Apropos !  of  pictures.  Mrs.  Carew  I  must  arrange  to 
have  you  see  a  superb  new  painting  recently  hung  upon  the 
wall  at  the  *  Century,'  and  ask  your  opinion  of  its  merit  " 

Regina  did  not  catch  the  remainder  of  her  guardian's  sen 
tence,  which  she  felt  assured  was  intended  to  divert  the  con 
versation  and  shield  Olga, — for  just  then,  Mr.  Chesley  asked 
to  fill  her  glass,  and  the  talk  drifted  away  to  less  dangerous 
topics. 

Irresistibly  attracted  by  some  subtle  charm  in  his  manner, 
she  found  herself  drawn  into  a  pleasant  dialogue  with  him, 


366  IXFF.LICF.. 

relative  to  some  startling  incidents  which  he  narrated  of  the 
early  miners  in  the  far  West.  Watching  his  face,  she  puzzled 
her  brain  with  the  solution  of  the  singular  familiarity  it 
possessed.  She  had  never  met  him  until  to-day,  and  yet  her 
heart  warmed  toward  him  more  and  more. 

At  length  she  ventured  the  question  : 

"  Did  you  leave  your  family  in  California  ?  " 

"Unfortunately  I  have  no  family,  and  no  relatives.  My 
dear  young  lady  is  it  not  melancholy  to  find  a  confirmed  old 
bachelor,  verging  fast  upon  decrepitude — with  no  one  to  look 
after,  or  care  for  him  ?  When  I  was  a  good-looking  young 
beau,  and  should  have  been  hunting  me  a  bonny  blue-eyed 
bride,  I  was  digging  gold  from  the  rocky  ribs  of  mountains  in 
Western  solitudes.  When  I  made  my  fortune,  I  discovered  too 
late  that  I  had  given  my  youth  in  exchange." 

"  I  should  think  Sir,  that  you  might  still  marry,  and  be  very- 
happy." 

His  low  pleasant  laugh  did  not  embarrass  her,  and  he 
answered  : 

"  You  are  very  kind  to  kindle  that  beacon  of  encourage 
ment,  but  I  fear  your  charitable  sympathy  clouds  your  judg 
ment.  Do  you  imagine  any  fair  young  girl  could  brave  my 
gray  hairs  and  wrinkles  ?  " 

"  A  young  girl  would  not  suit  you  sir  ;  but  there  must  be 
noble  middle-aged  ladies  whom  you  could  admire,  and  trust, 
and  love  ?  " 

He  bent  his  white  head,  and  whispered : 

"  Such  for  instance  as  Mrs.  Carew,  who  converts  all  places 
into  Ogygia?" 

Without  lifting  her  eyes,  she  merely  shook  her  head,  and 
he  continued  : 

"  Miss  Orme,  all  men  have  their  roseleaf  romance.  Mine 
expanded  very  early,  but  fate  crumpled, — crushed  it  into  a 
shapeless  ruin, — and  leaving  the  wreck  behind  me,  I  went  to 
the  wilds  of  California.  Since  then,  I  have  missed  the  human 
izing  influence  of  home  ties,  of  feminine  association  ;  but  as  I 


rNFELlCE  367 

look  down  the  hill,  where  the  sun  of  my  life  is  casting  long 
shadows,  I  sometimes  feel  that  it  would  be  a  great  blessing, 
had  I  a  sister,  cousin,  niece,  or  even  an  adopted  daughter, 
whom  I  could  love  and  lean  upon  in  my  lonely  old  age.  Once 
I  seriously  entertained  the  thought  of  selecting  an  orphan  from 
some  Asylum, — and  adopting  her  into  my  heart  and  home." 

"  When  you  do,  I  sincerely  hope  she  will  prove  all  that  you 
wish,  and  faithfully  requite  your  goodness." 

She  spoke  so  earnestly  that  he  smiled,  and  added : 

"  Can  you  recommend  one  to  me  ?  I  envy  Palma  his 
guardianship,  and  if  I  could  find  a  young  girl  like  you,  I  should 
not  hesitate  to  solicit " 

"Pardon  me  Mr.  Chesley, — but  Mr.  Palma  is  endeavoring 
to  attract  your  notice,"  said  Mrs.  Palma. 

The  host  held  in  his  hand  an  envelope. 

"  A  telegram  for  you.     Shall  I  direct  the  bearer  to  wait  ?  " 

"  With  your  permission,  I  will  examine  it." 

Having  glanced  at  the  lines,  he  turned  the  sheet  of  paper 
over,  and  with  a  pencil  wrote  a  few  words  ;  then  handed  it  to 
Terry,  requesting  him  to  direct  the  bearer  to  have  the  answer 
promptly  telegraphed. 

"  Nothing  unpleasant  I  trust  ?  "  said  Mr.  Palma. 

"  Thank  you, — no.  Only  a  summons  which  obliges  me  to 
curtail  my  visit,  and  return  to  Washington  by  the  midnight 
train." 

Interpreting  a  look  from  her  stepson,  Mrs.  Palma  hastened 
the  slow  course  of  the  dinner,  by  a  whisper  to  the  waiter 
behind  her  chair  ;  and  as  she  asked  some  questions  relative  to 
mutual  friends  residing  in  Washington,  Regina  had  no  oppor 
tunity  of  renewing  the  conversation. 

Mr.  Roscoe  was  assiduous  in  his  attentions  to  Miss  St. 
Clare,  and  Regina  looked  over  at  Olga,  who  was  talking  very 
learnedly  to  a  small  gentleman,  a  prominent  and  erudite  scien 
tist,  whose  knitted  eyebrows  now  and  then  indicated  dissatisfac 
tion  with  her  careless  manner  of  handling  his  pet  theories. 

Her  cheeks  glowed,  her  eyes  sparkled,  and  a  teasing  smile 


368  INFELICE. 

sat  upon  her  lips,  as  she  recklessly  rolled  her  irreverent  ball 
among  his  technical  ten  pins ;  and  repeated  defiantly : 

"  Is  old  Religion  but  a  spectre  now, 
Haunting  the  solitude  of  darkened  minds, 
Mocked  out  of  memory  by  the  sceptic  day  ? 
Is  there  no  corner  safe  from  peeping  Doubt  ?  " 

"  But  Miss  Neville,  I  must  be  allowed  to  say  that  you  do  not 
in  the  least  grasp  the  vastness  of  this  wonderful  law  of  '  Natu 
ral  Selection,' — of  the  'Survival  of  the  Fittest,'  which  is  omni 
potent  in  its  influence." 

"  Ah — but  my  reverence  for  Civilization  cries  out  against 
your  savage  enactments  !  Look  at  the  bulwarks  of  defence 
which  Asylums  and  Hospitals  lift  against  the  operation  of  your 
merciless  decree.  The  maimed,  the  feeble,  the  demented,  be 
come  the  wards  of  religion  and  charity  ;  the  Unfittest  of  human 
ity  are  carefully  preserved,  and  the  race  is  retarded  in  its  de 
velopment.  Civilized  legislation  and  philanthropy  are  directly 
opposed  to  your  l  Survival  of  the  Fittest/ — and  since  I  am  not  a 
tatooed  Princess  of  the  South  Pacific, — allowed  to  regale  my 
self  with  croquettes  of  human  brains,  or  a  ragout  of  baby's  ears 
and  hands,  well  flavored  with  wine  and  lemon, — I  accept  civili 
zation.  I  believe  China  is  the  best  place  for  the  successful 
testing  of  your  theory,  for  there,  the  unfittest  have  for  centuries 
been  destroyed  ;  yet  I  have  not  heard  that  the  superior, — the 
'  Coming  Race '  has  appeared  among  the  tea  farms  ?  " 

Elevating  his  voice,  the  small  gentleman  appealed  to  his  host. 

"  I  thought  Mr.  Palma  too  zealous  a  disciple  of  Modern 
Science,  to  permit  Miss  Neville  to  indulge  such  flagrant  here 
sies.  She  has  absolutely  denied  that  the  mental  development 
of  a  horse,  or  dog,  or  ape  is  strictly  analogous  to  that  of 
man," 

"  Quote  me  correctly,  I  pray  you  Doctor, — to  that  of  women, 
if  you  please,"  interrupted  Olga. 

"  She  believes  that  it  is  not  a  difference  of  degree, — (which 
we  know  to  be  the  case,)  but  of  kind  ;  not  comparative,  but 
structural — you  understand.  How  can  you  tolerate  such  schism 


INFFTJCR.  369 

in  your  household  ?  Moreover  she  scouts  the  great  Spencerian 
organon." 

"  O'lga  is  too  astute  not  to  discover  the  discrepancy  between 
the  theory  of  Scientists,  and  the  usages  of  civilized  society  ; 
whose  sanitary  provisions  thwart  and  neutralize  your  law  in  its 
operations  upon  the  human  race.  '  Those  whom  it  saves  from 
dying  prematurely,  it  preserves  to  propagate  dismal  and  imper 
fect  lives.  In  our  complicated  modern  communities,  a  race  is 
being  run  between  moral  and  mental  enlightenment,  and  the 
deterioration  of  the  physical  and  moral  constitution  through  the 
defeasance  of  the  law  of  Natural  Selection.'  " 

Lifting  her  champagne  glass,  Olga  sipped  the  amber  bub 
bles  from  its  brim,  and  slightly  bent  her  head  in  acknowledg 
ment. 

"  Thanks.  I  disclaim  any  doubt  of  the  accuracy  of  his  pedi 
gree  from  the  monad, — through  the  ape, — up  to  the  present 
erudite  philosopher ;  but  I  humbly  crave  permission  to  assert 
a  far  different  lineage  for  myself.  Pray  Doctor,  train  your  bat 
tery  now  upon  Mr.  Palma,  and  since  he  assails  you  with  Greg, 
minus  quotation  marks,  require  him  to  avow  his  .real  sentiments 
concerning  that  sentence  in  *  De  Profundis  : '  *  That  purely 
political  conception  of  religion  Which  regards  the  Ten  Com 
mandments  as  a  sort  of  '  cheap  defence '  of  property  and  life, 
God  Almighty  as  an  ubiquitous  and  unpaid  Policeman,  and 
Hell  as  a  self-supporting  jail,  a  penal  settlement  at  the  Anti 
podes  ! '  " 

Prudent  Mrs.  Palma  rose  at  that  moment,  and  the  party  left 
the  dining-room. 

Mrs.  St.  Clare  called  Regina  to  her  sofa,  to  make  some  in 
quiries  about  the  Cantata,  and  when  the  latter  was  released, 
she  saw  that  both  Mr.  Chesley  and  Mr.  Palma  were  absent. 

A  half  hour  elapsed,  during  which  Olga  continued  to  annoy 
the  learned  small  man  with  her  irreverent  flippancy,  and  Mrs. 
Carew  seemed  to  fascinate  the  two  gentlemen  who  hovered 
about  her,  like  eager  moths  around  a  lamp.  Then  the  host 
and  Congressman  came  in  together,  and  Regina  saw  her  guar- 
16* 


j  yo  INF E LICE. 

dian  cross  the  room,  and  murmur  something  to  his  fair  client, 
who  smilingly  assented. 

Mr.  Chesley  looked  at  the  widow,  and  at  Olga,  and  his  "eyes 
came  back,  and  dwelt  upon  the  young  girl  who  stood  leaning 
against  Mrs.  Palma's  chair. 

Her  dress  was  a  pearl  white  alpaca,  with  no  trimming,  save 
tulle  ruchings  at  throat  and  wrists, — and  a  few  violets  fastened 
in  the  cameo  Psyche  that  constituted  her  brooch. 

Pure,  pale,  almost  sad,  she  looked  in  that  brilliant  drawing- 
room  like  some  fragile  snow-drop,  astray  in  a  bed  of  gorgeous 
peonies  and  poppies. 

Lifting  her  eyes  to  her  host,  as  he  leaned  over  the  back  of 
her  sofa,  Mrs.  Carew  said  : 

"  Miss  Orme  poses  almost  faultlessly  ;  she  has  evidently 
studied  all  the  rules  of  the  art.  Quite  pretty  too  ;  and  her  hair 
has  a  peculiar  gloss,  that  reminds  one  of  the  pounded  peach- 
stones  with  which  Van  Dyck  glazed  his  pictures." 

The  fingers  of  the  hand  that  hung  at  his  side,  clenched  sud 
denly,  but  adjusting  his  glasses  more  firmly,  he  said  very  quietly  : 

"  My  ward  is  not  quite  herself  this  evening,  and  is  really  too 
unwell  to  be  down  stairs  ;  but  appeared  at  dinner  in  honor  of 
your  presence,  and  in  deference  to  my  wishes.  Shall  I  ring  for 
your  wrappings?  The  carnage  is  waiting." 

"  When  I  have  kissed  my  cherub  good-night,  I  shall  be 
ready." 

He  gave  her  his  arm,  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  and  returning, 
announced  his  regret  that  Mrs.  Carew  was  pledged  to  show 
herself  at  a  party,  to  which  he  had  promised  to  escort  her. 
Whereupon  the  other  ladies  remembered  that  they  also  had 
promised  to  be  present. 

Mr.  Chesley  standing  at  some  distance,  had  been  very  atten 
tively  studying  Regina's  face,  and  now  approaching  her,  took 
her  hand  with  a  certain  tender  courtesy,  that  touched  her 
itrangely. 

"  My  dear  Miss  Orme  I  think  we  are  destined  to  become 
firm  fast  friends,  and  were  I  not  compelled  to  hurry  back  to 


INFELTCR.  371 

Washington  to  oppose  a  certain  bill,  I  should  endeavor  to  im 
prove  our  acquaintance.  Before  long  I  shall  see  you  again, 
and  meanwhile  you  must  help  me  to  find  an  adopted  daughter 
as  much  like  yourself  as  possible, — or  I  shall  be  tempted  to 
steal  you  from  Palma.  Good-by.  God  bless  you." 

His  earnest  tone  and  warm  pressure  of  her  fingers,  thrilled 
her  heart,  and  she  thought  his  mild  brown  eyes  held  tears. 

"  Good-by — Sir.     I  hope  we  shall  meet  again." 

"  You  may  be  sure  we  shall." 

He  leaned  down,  and  as  he  looked  at  her,  she  saw  his  mouth 
tremble. 

A  wild  conjecture  flashed  across  her  brain,  and  her  hand 
clutched  his  spasmodically,  while  her  heart  seemed  to  stand 
still.  Was  Mr.  Chesley  her  father  ? 

Before  she  could  collect  her  thoughts,  he  turned  away  and 
left  the  room,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Palma,  who  during  the  even 
ing  had  not  once  glanced  toward  her. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

|RS.   CAREW  had  arrived  on   Tuesday  morning,  and 
announced  that  a  previous  engagement  would   limit 
her  visit  to  Saturday,  at  which  time  she  had  promised 
to  become  the  guest  of  a  friend  on  Murray  Hill. 

During  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  the  house  was  thronged 
with  visitors.  There  was  company  to  dinner  and  to  luncheon, 
and  every  imaginable  tribute  paid  to  the  taste  and  vanity  of 
the  beautiful  woman,  who  accepted  the  incense  offered,  as 
flowers  the  dew  of  heaven,  and  stars  the  light  that  constitutes 
their  glory.  Accustomed  from  her  cradle  to  adulation  and  in 
dulgence,  she  had  a  pretty,  yet  imperious  manner  o-f  exacting 
it  from  all  who  ventured  within  her  circle  ;  and  could  not  for 


372  TNFELTCE. 

give  the  cool  indifference  which  generally  characterized  Olga's 
behavior. 

Too  well-bred  to  be  guilty  of  rudeness,  the  latter  contrived 
in  a  very  adroit  way  to  defy  every  proposition  advanced  by  the 
fair  guest,  and  while  she  never  transcended  the  bounds  of 
courtesy,  she  piqued  and  harassed  and  puzzled  not  only  Mrs. 
Carew,  but  Mr.  Palma. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  Thursday  night,  when  the  guests  invited  to 
dinner  had  departed,  and  the  family  circle  had  collected  in  the 
sitting-room  to  await  the  carriage,  which  would  convey  the 
ladies  to  a  Wedding  Reception, — Mrs.  Carew  came  down  stairs 
magnificently  attired  in  a  delicate  green  satin,  covered  with  an 
over  dress  of  exquisite  white  lace,  and  adorned  with  a  profusion 
of  emeralds  and  pearls. 

Her  hair  was  arranged  in  a  unique  style,  (which  Olga  denom 
inated  "  Isis  fashion  ")  and  above  her  forehead  rested  a  jewelled 
lotos,  the  petals  of  large  pearls,  the  leaves  of  emeralds. 

As  she  stood  before  the  grate,  with  the  white  lace  shawl  slip 
ping  from  her  shoulders,  and  exposing  the  bare  gleaming  bust, — 
'Olga  exclaimed  : 

"  O  Queen  of  the  Nile  !    What  Antony  awaits  your  smiles  ?  " 

As  if  aware  that  she  were  scrutinized,  the  gray  eyes  sank  to 
the  carpet,  then  met  Olga's. 

"  Miss  Neville  is  not  the  only  person  who  has  found  in  me  a 
resemblance  to  the  Egyptian  Sorceress.     When  I  return    to 
Italy,  Story  shall  immortalize  me  in  connection  with  his  own 
impassioned  poem.     Let  me  see,  how  does  it  begin  : 
'  Here  Charmian  take  my  bracelets.'  " 

She  passed  her  hand  across  her  low  wide  brow,  and  glancing 
furtively  at  Mr.  Palma,  she  daringly  repeated  the  strongest 
passages  of  the  poem,  while  her  flute-like  tones  seemed  to 
gather  additional  witchery. 

Sitting  in  one  corner,  with  an  open  book  in  her  hand,  Regina 
looked  at  her  and  listened,  fascinated  by  her  singular  beauty, 
but  astonished  at  the  emphasis  with  which  she  recited  imagery 
that  tinged  the  girl's  cheek  with  red. 


INF  EL  ICE.  373 

"  If  there  be  a  '  cockatoo'  in  Gotham,  doubtless  you  will  own 
it  to-morrow.  But  forgive  me  oh  Cleopatra !  if  I  venture  the 
heresy  that  Story's  poem. gorgeous,  though  I  grant  it, — leaves  a 
bad  taste  in  one's  mouth,  like  richly  spiced  wine,  hot  and  sweet 
and  deliciously  intoxicating ; — but  beware  of  to-morrow  !  Some 
times  the  poison  of  asps  is  not  confined  to  fig-baskets  ;  and 
with  your  permission,  I  should  like  to  offer  you  an  infallible  an 
tidote, — Seraph  of  the  Nile  ?  " 

Mrs.  Carew  smiled  defiantly,  and  inclined  her  head,  inter 
preting  the  lurking  challenge  in  Olga's  fiery  hazel  eyes. 

Leaning  a  little  forward  to  note  the  effect,  the  latter  began 
and  recited  with  much  skill  the  entire  words  of  "  Maud  Mul- 
ler."  Whenever  the  name  of  the  Judge  was  pronounced,  she 
looked  at  Mr.  Palma,  and  there  was  peculiar  emphasis  in  her 
rendition  of  the  lines  : 

«'  But  the  lawyers  smiled  that  afternoon, 

When  he  hummed  in  Court,  an  old  love  tune. 

He  wedded  a  wife  of  richest  dower, 
Who  lived  for  fashion,  as  he  for  power." 

How  had  Olga  discovered  the  secret,  which  he  believed  so 
securely  locked  in  his  own  heart  ?  Not  a  muscle  moved  in  his 
cold  guarded  face,  but  a  faint  flush  stole  across  his  cheek,  as  he 
met  her  sparkling  gaze. 

Mrs.  Carew's  rosy  lip  curled  scornfully: 

"  My  dear  Miss  Neville,  should  you  ever  be  smitten  by  the 
blasts  of  adversity,  your  charming  recitative  talent  would  prove 
wonderfully  remunerative  upon  the  stage." 

"  Thanks  !  but  my  observation  leads  me  to  believe  that  at 
the  present  day,  the  profession  of  the  Sycophants  pays  the 
heaviest  dividends.  Does  Cleopatra's  fondness  for  figs,  enable 
ner  to  appreciate  my  worldly  wisdom  ?  " 

Regina  knew  that  Olga  meant  mischief  to  both  host  and 
guest,  and  though  she  did  not  comprehend  the  drift  of  her 
laughing  words,  she  noticed  the  sudden  smile  that  flashed  over 


374  INFETJCR. 

her  guardian's  countenance,  and  the  perplexed  expression  of 
Mrs.  CareVs  eyes. 

"  Miss  Neville  has  as  usual  floundered  into  her  favorite  blue 
mire,  whose  stale  scraps  of  learning  cannot  tempt  me  to  pur 
suit." 

"  Not  into  the  mud  of  the  Nile, — oh  celestial  Isis  ! — but  into 
the  classic  lore  of  Hellas.  Ask  Mr.  Palma  why  I  am  opposed 
to  smuggling  figs, — especially  rose-colored  figs?" 

Olga's  light  laugh  was  particularly  irritating  and  disagree 
able  at  that  moment,  and  her  mother  who  was  a  ubiquitous  flag 
of  truce  on  such  occasions,  hastened  to  interpose. 

"My  daughter  what  possible  connection  can  Mrs.  Carew  or 
anybody  else  find,  between  the  habit  of  sycophancy,  and 
baskets  of  figs?" 

"  Dear  Mamma  to  explain  it  to  you,  might  be  construed  in 
to  an  unfilial  and  irreverent  reflection  upon  the  insufficiency  of 
your  education,  and  of  that  admission,  nothing  could  induce 
me  to  be  guilty.  But  Regina  yonder,  is  still  in  the  clutches  of 
Dominie  Sampson,  and  as  she  is  such  an  innocent  stupid  young 
dove, — I  will  have  mercy  upon  her  curiously  questioning  eyes. 
My  dear  rustic  '  Maud,' — Sycophants  means  fig-blabbers  ;  and 
when  you  are  patient  enough  to  study,  and  wise  enough  to 
appreciate  Plutarch,  you  will  learn  the  derivation  of  the  title, 
which  justly  belongs  to  multitudes  of  people." 

Making  as  near  an  approach  to  a  grimace,  as  the  lines  o 
grace  (which  she  never  violated,)  would  permit,  Mrs.  Care\v 
lifted  one  shoulder  almost  out  of  its  satin  fetters,  and  turned  to 
her  host. 

"  Miss  Neville  should  have  reigned  at  the  Hotel  de  Ram- 
bouillet,  when  pr'ecieuse  was  more  honored  than  now.  1  fear 
if  society  suspected  the  vastness  of  her  learning,  it  would  create 
a  panic  wherever  she  goes." 

Olga  was  leaving  the  room,  had  almost  reached  the  door,  but 
at  the  last  words  turned,  and  her  face  sparkled  mischievously. 

"  Beautiful  Egypt  is  acquainted  with  sphinxes,  and  should 
be  quick  at  guessing  riddles.  Will  Cleopatra  or  Antony 


TNFELICR.  375 

answer  my  conundrum?  When  my  erudition  creates  a  panic, 
why  am  I  like  those  who  dwelt  about  Chemmis,  when  the  tragi 
cal  fate  of  Osiris  was  accomplished  ?  " 

Mr.  Palma  answered  promptly  : 

"  Because  the  Pans  who  inhabited  that  region  were  the  first 
who  learned  of  the  disaster,  and  as  they  spread  the  fatal  news 
among  the  people,  all  sudden  public  frights  and  shocks  have 
been  ever  since  called  panics.  The  carriage  is  ready.  We 
shall  be  late  at  the  wedding.  Olga  where  is  your  shawl  ?  " 

As  they  quitted  the  room  together,  he  added  in  an  under 
tone  : 

"Your  Parthian  warfare  would  have  justified  me  in  return 
ing  your  arrow,  but  I  was  never  an  expert  in  the  use  of  small 
arms." 

With  her  hand  upon  the  balustrade  of  the  stairs,  which  she 
was  ascending,  Olga  looked  down  on  him,  and  her  eyes  blazed 
with  an  intensity  of  scorn  and  defiance. 

"  To  your  empty  quiver,  not  your  leniency,  I  am  indebted 
for  my  safety.  Your  arrows  were  all  skilfully  barbed,  and  even 
the  venom  of  asps  distilled  upon  them ; — but  you  have  done 
your  worst, — and  failed.  Parthian  tactics  ill  suit  my  temper 
let  me  tell  you,  and  just  now  I  should  infinitely  prefer  the 
Scythian  style.  Were  I  only  for  one  brief  hour  Tomyris, — 
I  would  carry  your  head  Sir, — where  she  held  that  of  Cyrus, 
— in  a  bag." 

He  walked  on  to  the  front  door,  and  those  in  the  sitting-room 
heard  Olga  run  up  the  steps,  singing  with  gusto  that  strain 
from  Fra  Diavolo, — ending  :  "Diavolo  !  Diavolo  !  " 

The  "Cantata  of  Undine"  had  been  composed  by  a  gifted 
and  fashionable  amateur,  and  was  performed  by  young  people 
who  belonged  to  le  beau  monde,  consequently  at  an  early  hour  on 
Friday  evening,  the  house  was  crowded  to  witness  the  appear 
ance  of  a  constellation  of  amateurs,  among  whom  Regina  shone 
resplendent.  When  after  the  opening  chorus,  she  came  first 
upon  the  stage,  and  stood  watching  the  baton  of  the  leader,  a 
hum  of  admiration  rose  from  the  audience. 


376  INFRUCE. 

The  costume  was  of  some  silvery  gauze  that  hung  like  mist 
around  her  slender  figure,  and  was  encrusted  here  and  there 
with  the  fragile  white  water-lilies  that  matched  the  spray  which 
twined  across  her  head,  and  strayed  down  among  the  unbound 
hair  now  floating  free,  far  below  her  waist. 

Very  pale  but  calm,  she  began  her  solo,  at  first  a  little  tremu-  • 
lously,  but  by  degrees  the  rich  voice  gained  its  strength,  as 
serted  its  spell,  and  nobly  fulfilled   the  promise  of  Professor 
Hurtzsel,  that  New  York  should  hear  that  night  its  finest  con 
tralto. 

Startled  by  the  burst  of  applause  that  succeeded  her  song, 
she  looked  for  the  first  time  at  the  audience,  and  saw  her  guar 
dian's  tall  conspicuous  figure  leaning  against  a  column,  near 
the  spot  where  Mrs.  Carew  sat. 

Very  grave,  coolly  critical,  and  quite  preoccupied  he  cer 
tainly  looked,  and  none  would  have  dreamed  that  the  slight 
motion  of  his  mute  lips,  meant  "  My  Lily." 

Twice  she  sang  alone,  and  finally  in  a  duo  which  admirably 
displayed  the  compass  and  timbre  of  her  very  peculiar  voice, 
and  the  floral  hurricane  that  assailed  her,  attested  her  complete 
triumph. 

The  unaffected  simplicity  of  her  bearing,  as  contrasted  with 
the  aplomb  and  artificial  maViner  of  the  other  young  ladies  who 
were  performers, — the  angelic  purity  and  delicacy  of  the  sweet 
girlish  face,  with  a  lingering  trace  of  sadness  in  the  superb 
eyes,  which  only  deepened  their  velvet  violet, — excited  the 
earnest  interest  of  all  present,  and  many  curious  inquiries  ran 
through  the  audience. 

At  the  close  of  the  Cantata,  Mrs.  Palma  drew  Regina  away 
from  the  strangers  who  pressed  forward  to  offer  their  congratu 
lations,  and  throwing  a  fur  cloak  around  her,  kissed  her  cheek. 

It  was  the  first  caress  the  stately  woman  had  ever  bestowed, 
and  as  the  girl  looked  up, — gratified  and  astonished,  the  former 
said  : 

"You  sang  delightfully  my  dear,  and  we  are  more  than  satis 
fied,  quite  proud.  Your  voice  was  as  even  and  smooth  as  a 


INFRTJCR.  377 

piece  of  cream-colored  Persian  satin.  No,  Mrs.  Brompton, 
not  'to-night.  Pardon  me  Professor,  but  I  must  hurry  her 
away,  for  Mrs.  Carew  and  I  have  an  engagement  at  Mrs. 
Quimbey's.  I  shall  be  obliged  to  take  our  'Undine'  home, 
and  then  return  for  my  fair  friend,  — who  is,  as  usual,  surrounded, 
and  inextricable  just  now." 

While  she  spoke,  Regina' s  eyes  wandered  across  the  mass 
of  heads,  and  rested  on  the  commanding  form  of  her  guardian, 
standing  among  a  group  of  gentlemen  collected  around  Mrs. 
Carew,  who  clad  in  white  moire  antique,  with  a  complete  over 
dress  of  finest  black  lace,  looped  with  diamond  sprays,  seemed 
more  than  usually  regal  and  brilliant. 

Mrs.  Palma  hurried  Regina  through  a  side  entrance,  and 
down  to  the  carriage,  and  erelong,  having  seen  her  enter  the 
hall  at  home,  bade  her  good-night,  and  drove  back  for  Mrs. 
Carew  and  Mr.  Palma. 

It  was  only  a  little  after  ten  o'clock,  and  Regina  went  up  to 
the  library,  her  favorite  haunt.  She  had  converted  the  over- 
skirt  of  her  dress  into  an  apron, — now  filled  with  bouquets  from 
among  the  number  showered  upon  her ;  and  selecting  one 
composed  of  pelargoniums  and  heliotropes, — she  placed  it  in 
the  vase  beneath  her  mother's  picture,  and  laid  the  remainder 
in  a  circle  around  it. 

"  Ah  mother  !  they  praised  your  child ;  but  your  voice  was 
missing.  Would  you  too  have  been  proud  of  me  ?  Oh  !  if  I 
could  feel  your  lips  on  mine, — and  hear  you  whisper  once 
more, — as  of  old, — '  My  baby  !  my  precious  baby  ! '  " 

Gazing  at  the  portrait,  she.  spoke  with  a  passionate  fervor 
very  unusual  in  her  composed  reserved  nature,  and  unshed 
tears  gathered,  and  glorified  her  eyes. 

The  house  was  silent  and  deserted,  save  by  the  servants,  by 
Mrs.  Carew's  child  and  nurse,  and  throwing  off  her  cloak, 
Regina  remained  standing  in  front  of  the  portrait,  while  her 
thoughts  wandered  into  gray  dreary  wastes. 

Since  the  day  of  Mrs.  Carew's  arrival  she  had  not  exchanged 
a  syllable  with  her  guardian,  nor  had  she  for  an  instant  seen 


378  fNFELICE. 

him  alone,  for  the  early  breakfasts  had  been  discontinued,  and 
in  honor  of  his  guest  and  client,  Mr.  Palma  took  his  with  the 
assembled  family. 

There  was  in  his  deportment  toward  his  ward,  nothing 
harsh,  nothing  that  could  have  indicated  displeasure ;  but  he 
seemed  to  have  entirely  forgotten  her,  from  the  moment  when 
he  presented  her  to  Mr.  Chesley. 

He  never  even  accidentally  glanced  at  her,  and  patiently 
watching  his  immobile  cold  face,  sparkling  only  with  intelli 
gence,  as  he  endeavored  to  entertain  his  exacting  and  imperi 
ous  guest,  Regina  began  to  realize  the  vast  distance  that 
divided  her  from  him. 

His  haughty  Brahminic  pride  seemed  to  lift  him  into  some 
lofty  plane,  so  far  beyond  the  level  of  Peleg  Peterson, — that  in 
contrasting  them,  the  girl  groaned  and  grew  sick  at  heart.  She 
felt  that  she  stood  upon  a  mine  already  charged,  and  that  at 
any  moment  that  wretched  man  who  held  the  fatal  fuse  in  his 
brutal  hand,  might  hurl  her  and  all  her  hopes  into  irremediable 
chaos  and  ruin.  If  the  fastidious  and  aristocratic  people  who 
had  kindly  applauded  her  singing,  a  little  while  ago,  could  have 
imagined  the  dense  cloud  of  social  humiliation  that  threatened 
to  burst  upon  her,  would  she  have  even  been  tolerated  in  that 
assemblage  ?  Ignorance  of  her  parentage  was  her  sole  passport 
into  really  good  society,  and  the  prestige  of  her  guardian's 
noble  name  an  ermine  mantle  of  protection,  which  might  be 
rudely  torn  away. 

During  the  last  three  days,  left  to  the  companionship  of  her 
own  sad  thoughts,  and  unable  to  see  Olga  alone  for  even  a 
moment,  more  than  one  painful  and  unutterably  bitter  dis 
covery  had  been  made.  She  felt  that  indeed  her  childhood 
had  flown  forever,  that  the  sacred  mysterious  chrism  of  woman 
hood  had  been  poured  upon  her  young  heart. 

Until  forced  to  observe  the  marked  admiration  which  m  his 
own  house  Mr.  Palma  evinced  when  conversing  with  Mrs. 
Carew,  Regina  had  been  conscious  only  of  a  profound  respect 
for  him,  of  a  deeply  grateful  appreciation  of  his  protecting 


INFRIJCE.  379 

care  ;  and  even  when  he  interrogated  her  with  reference  to  her 
affection  for  Mr.  Lindsay,  she  had  truthfully  averred  her  con 
viction  that  her  heart  was  wholly  disengaged. 

But  sternly  honest  in  dealing  with  her  own  soul,  subsequent 
events  had  painfully  shocked  her  into  a  realization  of  the  feel 
ing,  that  first  manifested  itself  as  she  watched  Mr.  Palma  and 
Mrs.  Carew  at  the  dinner  table. 

She  knew  now,  that  the  keen  pang  she  suffered  that  day, 
could  mean  nothing  less  solemn  and  distressing  than  the  morti 
fying  fact,  that  she  was  beginning  to  love  her  guardian.  Not 
merely  as  a  grateful,  respectful  ward,  the  august  lawyer  who 
represented  her  mother's  authority, — but  as  a  woman  once, 
and  once  only  in  life, — loves  the  man,  whom  her  pure  tender 
heart  humbly  acknowledges  as  her  king,  her  high-priest, — her 
one  divinity  in  clay. 

Although  conscience  acquitted  her  of  any  intentional  weak 
ness,  her  womanly  pride  and  delicacy  bled  at  every  pore,  when 
she  arraigned  herself  for  being  guilty  of  this  emotion  toward 
one,  who  regarded  her  as  a  child,  who  merely  pitied  her  forlorn 
isolation ;  and  whose  eyes  would  fill  with  fiery  scorn,  could  he 
dream  of  her  presumptuous,  her  unfeminine  folly. 

Despite  the  chronic  sneers  with  which  Olga  always  referred 
to  his  character  and  habitual  conduct,  Regina  could  not  with 
hold  a  reverence  for  his  opinion,  and  an  earnest  admiration  of 
his  grave,  dignified,  yet  polished  deportment  in  his  household. 

By  degrees,  her  early  dread  and  repulsion  had  melted  away, 
confidence  and  respect  usurped  their  place  ;  and  gradually  he 
had  grown  and  heightened  in  her  estimation, — until  suddenly 
opening  her  eyes  wide,  she  saw  that  Erie  Palma  filled  all  the 
horizon  of  her  hopes. 

During  three  sleepless  nights,  she  had  kept  her  eyes  riveted 
upon  this  unexpected  and  mournful  fact,  and  while  deeply 
humiliated  by  the  discovery,  she  proudly  resolved  to  uproot 
and  cast  out  of  her  heart  the  alien  growth,  which  she  felt  could 
prove  only  the  upas  of  her  future.  Allowing  herself  absolutely 
no  hope,  no  pardon,  no  quarter,  she  sternly  laid  the  axe  of  in- 


380  IX  FELICE. 

dignant  condemnation  and  destruction  to  the  daring  off- shoot, — 
desperately  hewing  at  her  very  heart-strings. 

Mrs.  Carew's  manner  left  little  doubt,  that  she  was  leaning 
like  a  ripe  peach  within  his  reach,  ready  at  a  touch  to  fall  into 
his  hand  ;  and  though  Regina  felt  that  this  low-browed — sibyl- 
eyed  woman  was  vastly  his  inferior  in  all  save  beauty  and 
wealth,  she  knew  that  even  his  failure  to  marry  the  widow, 
would  furnish  no  justification  for  the  further  indulgence  of  her 
own  foolish  and  unsought  preference. 

The  dread  lest  he  might  suspect  it,  and  despise  her,  added 
intensity  to  her  desire  to  leave  New  York,  and  find  safety  in 
joining  her  mother;  for  the  thought  of  his  cold  contempt,  his 
glittering  black  eyes, — and  curling  lips, — was  unendurable. 

Weeks  must  elapse  ere  she  could  receive  an  answer  to  her 
letter,  praying  for  permission  to  sail  for  Europe,  and  during 
this  trying  interval,  she  determined  to  guard  every  word  and 
glance, — to  allow  no  hint  of  her  great  folly  to  escape. 

Peleg  Peterson's  daughter, — or  else  "Nobody's  Child," — 
daring  to  lift  her  eyes  to  the  lordly  form  of  Erie  Palma ! 

As  this  bitter  thought  taunted  and  stung  her,  she  uttered  a 
low  cry  of  anguish  and  shame. 

"What  is  the  matter?  Don't  cry,  it  will  spoil  your  pretty 
eyes." 

Regina  turned  quickly,  and  saw  little  Llora  Carew  standing 
near,  and  arrayed  only  in  her  long  white  night  dress,  and  pink 
resetted  slippers. 

"Llora  how  came  you  out  of  bed?  You  ought  to  have 
been  asleep  three  hours  ago." 

"So  I  was.  But  I  waked  up,  and  felt  so  lonesome.  Mammie 
has  gone  off  and  left  me,  and  hunting  for  somebody,  I  came 
here.  Won't  you  please  let  me  stay  awhile  ?  I  can't  go  to 
sleep." 

"But  you  will  catch  cold." 

"  No,  the  room  is  warm, — and  I  have  my  slippers.  Oh ! 
what  a  pretty  dress  !  And  your  arms  and  neck  are  like  snow, 
— whiter  even  than  my  mamma's.  Please  do  sing  something 


IN  FELICE.  381 

for  me.  Your  voice  is  sweeter  than  my  musical  box, — and  then 
I  am  going  away  to-morrow." 

She  had  curled  herself  like  a  pet  kitten  on  the  rug,  and  look 
ing  down  at  her  soft  dusky  eyes,  and  rosy  cheeks,  Regina 
sighed. 

"  I  am  so  tired — dear.     I  have  no  voice  left." 

"  If  you  could  sing  before  all  the  people  at  the  Cantata,  you 
might  just  one  song, — for  little  me." 

"  Well  pet, — I  know  I  ought  not  to  be  selfish,  and  I  will  try. 
Come  kiss  me.  My  mother  is  so  far  away,  and  I  have  nobody 
to  love  me.  Hug  me  tight." 

There  was  a  door  leading  from  Mr.  Palma's  sleeping-room, 
to  the  curtained  alcove  behind  the  writing  desk,  and  having 
quietly  entered  by  that  passage  soon  after  Regina  came  home, 
the  master  of  the  house  sat  on  a  lounge  veiled  by  damask  and 
lace  curtains,  and  holding  the  drapery  slightly  aside,  watched 
what  passed  in  the  library. 

He  was  rising  to  declare  his  presence,  when  Llora  came  in, 
and  somewhat  vexed  at  the  contretemps  he  awaited  the  result. 

As  Regina  knelt  on  the  rug  and  opened  her  arms,  the  pretty 
child  sprang  into  them,  kissed  her  cheeks,  and  assured  her  re 
peatedly  that  she  loved  her  very  dearly, — that  she  was  the  love 
liest  girl  she  ever  saw, — especially  in  that  gauze  dress.  Partic 
ularly  fond  of  children,  Regina  toyed  with,  and  caressed  her  for 
some  minutes,  then  rose,  and  said  : 

•'  Now  I  will  sing  you  a  little  song  to  put  you  to  sleep.  Sit 
here  by  the  hearth,  but  be  sure  not  to  nod  and  fall  into  the 
fire." 

She  opened  the  organ,  and  although  partly  beyond  the  range 
of  Mr.  Palma's  vision,  he  heard  every  syllable  of  the  sweet 
mellow  English  words  of  Kucken's  "  Schlummerlied," — with  its 
soothing  refrain : 

"  Oh,  hush  thee  now,  in  slumber  mild, 
While  watch  I  keep,  oh  sleep  my  child." 

She   sang  it  with  strange  pathos,  thinking  of  her  own  far 


382  INFELICE. 

distant  mother,  whom  fate  had  denied  the  privilege  of  chanting 
lullabys  over  her  lonely  blue-eyed  child. 

Ending,  she  came  back  to  the  hearth,  and  Llora  clasped  her 
tiny  hands,  and  chirped  : 

"Oh— so  sweet!  When  you  get  to  heaven,  don't  you 
reckon  you  will  sit  in  the  choir  ?  Once  more, — oh  !  do- 
please." 

"  What  a  hungry  little  beggar  you  are  !  Come  sit  in  my  lap, 
— and  I  will  hum  you  a  dear  little  tune.  Then  you  must  posi 
tively  scamper  away  to  bed,  or  your  mamma  will  scold  us  both, 
— and  your  mammie  also." 

A  tall  yellow  woman  with  a  white  handkerchief  wound 
turban-style  around  her  head,  came  stealthily  forward,  and  said  : 

"Miss  give  her  to  me.  I  went  down  stairs  for  a  drink  of 
water,  and  when  I  got  back,  I  missed  her.  Come  baby,  let  me 
carry  you  to  bed,  or  you  will  have  the  croup,  and  the  doctors 
might  cut  your  throat." 

"Wait  mammie,  till  she  sings  that  little  tune  she  promised; 
then  I  will  go." 

Regina  sat  down  in  a  low  cushioned  chair,  took  the  little 
girl  on  her  lap,  and  while  the  curly  head  nestled  on  her  shoulder, 
and  one  arm  clasped  her  neck,  she  rested  her  chin  upon  the 
brown  hair,  and  sang  in  a  very  sweet,  subdued  tone, — that 
most  soothing  of  all  lullaby  strains, — Wallace's  "Cradle  Song." 

As  she  proceeded,  the  turbaned  head  of  the  nurse  kept  time, 
swaying  to  and  fro  in  the  background,  and  a  sweeter  picture 
never  adorned  canvas,  than  that  which  Mr.  Palraa  watched  in 
front  of  his  library  fire, — and  which  photographed  itself  indeli 
bly  upon  his  memory. 

Singer  and  child  occupied  very  much  the  same  position  as 
the  figures  in  the  Madonna  della  Sedia,  and  no  more  lovely 
woman  and  child  ever  sat  for  its  painter. 

As  Mr.  Palma's  fastidiously  critical  eyes  rested  on  the  sad 
perfect  face  of  Regina,  with  the  long  black  lashes  veiling  her 
eyes,  and  the  bare  arms  and  shoulders  gleaming  above  the  sil 
ver  gauze  of  her  drapery,  he  silently  admitted  that  her  beauty 


INF E  LICE.  383 

seemed  strangely  sanctified,  and  more  spirituelle  than  ever  be 
fore.  Contrasting  that  sweet  white  figure,  over  whose  delicate 
lips  floated  the  dreamy  rhythm  of  the  cradle  chant, — with  the 
hundreds  of  handsome,  accomplished,  witty  and  brilliant  women 
who  thronged  the  ball-room  he  had  just  left,  this  man  of  the 
world  confessed  that  his  proud  ambitious  heart  was  hopelessly 
in  bondage  to  the  fair  young  singer. 

"  Sleep  my  little  one,  sleep, — 
Sleep  my  pretty  one, — sleep." 

At  that  moment  he  was  powerfully  tempted  to  delay  no 
longer, — to  take  her  to  his  bosom  forever ;  and  it  cost  him  a 
struggle  to  sit  patiently,  while  every  fibre  of  his  strong  frame 
was  thrilling  with  a  depth  and  fervor  of  feeling  that  threatenec 
to  bear  away  all  dictates  of  discretion.  Ah  !  what  a  divine 
melody  seemed  to  ring  through  all  his  future,  as  he  leaned 
eagerly  forward,  and  listened  to  the  closing  words,  softly  reit 
erated  : 

"  Sleep  my  little  one,  sleep, — 
Sleep  my  pretty  one, — sleep." 

When  she  was  his  wife,  how  often  in  the  blessed  evenings 
spent  here,  in  this  hallowed  room,  he  promised  himself  he  would 
make  her  sing  that  song.  No  shadow  of  doubt  that  whenever 
he  chose,  he  could  win  her  for  his  own,  clouded  the  brightness 
of  the  vision,  for  success  in  other  pursuits  had  fed  his  vanity, 
until  he  believed  himself  invincible ;  and  although  he  had 
studied  her  character  closely,  he  failed  to  comprehend  fully  the 
proud  obstinacy  latent  in  her  quiet  nature. 

Just  then  even  the  Chief  Justiceship  seemed  an  inferior  prize, 
in  comparison  with  the  possession  of  that  white-browed  girl,  and 
her  pure  clinging  love  ;  and  certainly  for  a  time,  Mr.  Erie 
Palma's  towering  pride  and  insatiable  ambition  were  forgotten 
in  his  longing  to  snatch  the  one  beloved  of  all  his  arid  life,  to 
the  heart  that  was  throbbing  almost  beyond  even  his  rigid  con 
trol. 


384  INFELICE. 

For  the  first  time  within  his  recollection,  he  distrusted  his 
power  of  self-restraint,  and  rising  passed  quickly  into  his  own 
room, — and  thence  after  some  moments,  out  into  the  hall. 
Near  the  stairs  he  met  the  mulatto  nurse,  carrying  Llora  in  her 
arms. 

"  Does  Mrs.  Carew  permit  that  child  to  sit  up  so  late  ?  " 

"  Oh  no  Sir  !  She  has  been  asleep  once  ;  but  Miss  Regina 
pets  her  a  good  deal,  and  had  her  in  the  library,  singing  to 
her." 

"  Mr.  Palma  shall  I  kiss  you  good-night  ?  "  asked  the  pretty 
Creole,  lifting  her  curly  head  from  her  "  Mammie's"  shoulder. 

"  Good-night  Llora.  Such  tender  birds  should  have  been  in 
their  nests,  long  before  this.  I  shall  go  and  scold  Miss  Orme 
for  keeping  you  awake  so  late." 

He  merely  patted  her  rosy  round  cheek,  and  went  to  the 
library. 

Hearing  his  unmistakable  step,  Regina  conjectured  that  he 
had  escorted  the  ladies  home,  much  earlier  than  they  were  ac 
customed  to  return,  and  longing  to  avoid  the  possibility  of  a 
tete-a-tete  with  him,  she  would  gladly  have  escaped  before  his 
entrance,  had  it  been  practicable. 

He  closed  the  door,  and  came  forward,  and  leaning  back  in 
the  chair  where  she  still  sat,  her  hands  closed  tightly  over  each 
other. 

"  I  fear  my  ward  is  learning  to  keep  late  hours.  It  is  after 
eleven  o'clock,  and  you  should  be  dreaming  of  the  cool,  beryl, 
aquatic  abodes,  you  have  been  frequenting  as  Undine ;  for  in 
deed  you  look  a  very  weary  naiad." 

Was  he  pleased  with  her  success,  and  would  he  deign  to  give 
her  a  morsel  of  commendation  ? 

A  moment  after,  she  knew  that  he  entertained  no  such  pur 
pose,  and  felt  that  she  ought  to  rejoice ;  that  it  was  far  best  he 
should  not, — for  praise  from  his  lips,  would  be  dangerously 
sweet. 

Glancing  at  the  floral  tribute  laid  before  her  mother's  por 
trait,  he  said: 


INF E  LICE.  385 

"You  certainly  are  a  faithful  devotee  at  your  mother's 
shrine,  and  no  wonder  poor  Roscoe  is  so  desperately  savage, 
at  his  failure  to  engage  a  portion  of  your  regard.  Did  you  have 
a  satisfactory  interview  with  him  on  Tuesday  last  ?  I  invited 
him  for  that  purpose,  as  he  avowed  himself  dissatisfied  with  my 
efforts  as  proxy,  and  demanded  the  privilege  of  pleading  his 
own  cause.  Permit  me  to  hope,  that  he  successfully  improved 
the  opportunity  which  I  provided,  by  requesting  him  to  escort 
you  to  dinner." 

Standing  upon  the  rug,  and  immediately  in  front  of  her,  he 
spoke  witl*  cool  indifference,  and  though  the  words  seemed  to 
her  a  cruel  mockery,  they  proved  a  powerful  tonic  ;  bringing  the 
grim  comfort  that  at  least,  her  presumptuous  madness  was  not 
suspected. 

"  I  had  very  little  conversation  with  Mr.  Roscoe,  as  I  declined 
to  renew  the  discussion  of  a  topic,  which  was  painful  and  em 
barrassing  to  me,  and  I  fear  I  have  entirely  forfeited  his  friend 
ship."  , 

"  Then  after  mature  deliberation  you  still  peremptorily 
refuse  to  become  more  closely  related  to  me  ?  Once,  there 
appeared  a  rosy  possibility  that  you  might  one  day  call  me 
cousin." 

With  a  sudden  resolution  she  looked  straight  at  him,  for  the 
first  time  since  his  entrance,  and  answered  quietly  : 

"  You  will  be  my  kind  faithful  guardian  a  little  while  longer, 
— until  I  can  hear  from  mother ;  but  we  shall  never  be  any 
more  closely  related." 

The  reply  was  not  exactly  what  he  expected  and  desired, 
but  with  his  chill,  out-door  conventional  smile,  he  added  : 

"  Poor  Roscoe  !  his  heart  frequently  outstrips  his  reason." 

Looking  at  him,  she  felt  assured  that  no  one  could  ever  justly 
make  that  charge  against  him  ;  and  unwilling  to  prolong  the 
interview,  she  rose. . 

"  Pardon  me,  if  notwithstanding  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  I 
detain  you  a  few  minutes  from  your  Undine  dreams.     Be  so 
good  as  to  resume  your  seat." 
J7 


386  IN  FELICE. 

There  was  an  ominous  pause,  and  reluctantly  she  was  forced 
to  look  up. 

He  was  regarding  her  very  sternly,  and  as  his  eyes  caught 
and  held  hers,  he  put  his  fingers  in  his  vest  pocket,  drawing 
therefrom  a  narrow  strip  of  paper,  folded  carefully.  Holding 
it  out,  he  asked  : 

"  Did  you  ever  see  this  ?" 

Before  she  opened  it,  she  knew  it  contained  the  address  she 
had  given  to  Peleg  Peterson  on  Tuesday,  and  a  shiver  crept 
over  her.  Mechanically  glancing  at.  it,  she  sighed ; — a  sigh 
that  was  almost  a  moan. 

"Reginahave  the  courtesy  to  answer  my  question." 

"  Of  course  I  have  seen  it  before.  You  know  it  is  my  hand 
writing." 

"  Did  you  furnish  that  address,  with  the  expectation  of  con 
ducting  a  clandestine  correspondence  ?  " 

An  increasing  pallor  overspread  her  features,  but  in  a  very 
firm  decided  voice,  she  replied : 

"Yes  Sir." 

"  Knowing  that  your  legal  guardian  would  forbid  such  an  in 
terchange  of  letters,  you  directed  them  enclosed  under  cover 
to  Mrs.  Mason  ?" 

"  I  did." 

The  slip  of  paper  fluttered  to  the  floor,  and  her  fingers  locked 
each  other. 

"  A  gentleman  picked  up  that  scrap  of  paper,  in  one  of  the 
squares  located  far  up  town,  and  recognizing  the  name  of  my 
ward,  very  discreetly  placed  it  in  the  possession  of  her  guar 
dian." 

"  Mr.  Palma  were  you  not  in  a  carriage  at  that  Square,  on 
Tuesday  ?  " 

"I  was  not.  My  time  is  rather  too  valuable,  to  be  wasted  in 
a  rendezvous  at  out-of-the-way  squares, — while  a  snow-storm 
is  in  full  blast.  What  possible  attraction  do  you  imagine  such 
folly  could  offer  me  ?  " 

"  1  met  you  not  very  far  from  that  square,  and  I  thought," — 


INF  ELI  CE.  387 

"  Pray  take  time,  and  conclude  your  sentence." 

She  shook  her  head. 

"  Some  important  business  connected  with  my  profession, 
and  involving  a  case  long  ago  placed  in  my  hands,  called  me 
despite  the  unfavorable  weather,  to  that  section  of  the  City. 
Having  particularly  desired  and  instructed  you  to  come  home, 
as  soon  as  the  rehearsal  at  Mrs.  Brompton's  ended, — 1  certainly 
had  no  right  to  suppose  you  intended  to  disobey  me." 

He  paused,  but  she  remained  a  pale  image  of  silent  sorrow. 

"  A  few  evenings  since,  you  asked  me  to  trust  you,  and  in 
defiance  of  my  judgment  I  reluctantly  promised  to  do  so.  Have 
you  not  forfeited  your  guardian's  confidence  ?  " 

"Perhaps  so; — but  it  was  unavoidable." 

"Unavoidable  that  you  should  systematically  deceive  me?" 
he  demanded  very  sternly. 

"I  have  not  deceived  you." 

"  My  duty  as  your  guardian  forces  me  to  deal  plainly  with 
you.  With  whom  have  you  arranged  this  disgraceful  clandes 
tine  correspondence?" 

Her  gaze  swept  quite  past  him,  ascended  to  the  pitying 
brown  eyes  in  her  mother's  portrait ;  and  though  she  grew 
white  as  her  Undine  vesture,  and  he  saw  her  shudder,  her  voice 
was  unshaken. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you." 

"  Representing  your  mother's  authority,  I  demand  an  an 
swer." 

After  an  instant,  she  said  : 

"  Though  you  were  twenty  times  my  guardian, — I  shall  not 
tell  you  Sir." 

She  seemed  like  some  marble  statue,  which  one  might  hack 
and  hew  in  twain,  without  extorting  a  confession. 

"  Then  you  force  me  to  a  very  shocking  and  shameful  con 
clusion." 

Was  there, — she  wondered, — any  conclusion  so  shameful  as 
the  truth, — which  at  all  hazard  she  was  resolved  for  her  moth 
er's  sake,  to  hide  ? 


388  INFELICE. 

"  You  are  secretly  meeting,  and  arranging  to  correspond  with 
some  vagrant  lover,  whom  you  blush  to  acknowledge." 

"  Lover  !  Oh  merciful  God  !  When  I  need  a  father,  and  a 
father's  protecting  name  ; — when  I  am  heart-sick  for  my  mother, 
and  her  shielding  healing  love, — how  can  you  cruelly  talk  to 
me  of  a  lover?  What  right  has  a  nameless,  homeless  waif  to 
think  of  love?  God  grant  me  a  father  and  a  mother,  a  stain 
less  name, — and  I  shall  never  need,  never  wish,  never  tolerate 
a  lover  !  Do  not  insult  my  misery." 

She  lifted  her  clenched  hands  almost  menacingly,  and  her 
passionate  vehemence  startled  her  companion,  who  could 
scarcely  recognize  in  the  glittering  defiant  gaze  that -met  his, — • 
the  velvet  violet  eyes  over  which  the  silken  fringes  had  hung 
with  such  tender  Madonna  grace, — but  a  half  hour  before. 

"Regina  how  could  you  deceive  me  so  shamefully?  " 

"  I  did  not  intend  to  do  so.  I  am  innocent  of  the  disgrace 
ful  motives  you  impute  to  me  ;  but  I  cannot  explain,  what 
you  condemn  so  severely.  In  all  that  I  have  done,  I  have 
been  impelled  by  a  stern,  painful  sense  of  duty,  and  my  con 
science  acquits  me  ;  but  I  shall  not  give  you  any  explanation. 
To  no  human  being,  except  my  mother,  will  I  confess  the  whole 
matter.  Oh  send  me  at  once  to  her  !  I  asked  you  to  trust  me, 
— and  you  believe  me  utterly  unworthy, — think  I  have  forfeited 
your  confidence, — even  your  respect.  It  is  hard, — very  hard, 
for  I  hoped  to  possess  always  your  good  opinion.  But  it  must 
be  borne, — and  now  at  least, — holding  me  so  low  in  your 
esteem,  you  will  not  keep  me  under  your  roof; — you  will  gladly 
send  me  to  mother.  Let  me  go.  Oh  !  do  let  me  go — at 
once  ; — to-morrow." 

She  seemed  inexplicably  transformed  into  a  woful  desperate 
woman,  and  the  man's  heart  yearned  to  fold  her  closely  in  his 
arms,  sheltering  her  forever. 

Drawing  nearer,  he  spoke  in  a  wholly  altered  voice. 

"When  you  asked  me  to  trust  you,  I  did  so.  Now  will  you 
grant  me  a  similar  boon  ?  Lily  trust  me." 

His  tone  had  never  sounded  so  low,  almost  pleading,  before, 


INFELICE.  389 

— and  it  thrilled  her  with  an  overmastering  grief,  that  when  he 
who  was  wont  to  command,  condescended  to  sue  for  her  confi 
dence,  she  was  forced  to  withhold  it. 

"  Oh  Mr.  Palma,  do  not  ask  me  !     I  cannot." 

He  took  her  hands,  unwinding  the  cold  fingers,  and  in  his 
peculiar  magnetic  way  softly  folding  them  in  his  warm  palms  ; 
— but  she  struggled  to  withdraw  them,  and  he  saw  the  purple 
shadows  deepening  under  her  large  eyes. 

"  Little  girl  I  would  not  betray  your  secret.  Give  it  to  my 
safe  keeping.  Show  me  your  heart." 

As  if  fearful  he  might  read  it,  she  involuntarily  closed  her 
eyes,  and  her  answer  was  almost  a  sob. 

"  It  is  not  my  secret, — it  involves  others,  and  I  would  rather 
die  to-morrow, — to-night, — than  have  it  known.  Oh  !  let  me 
go  away, — at  once,  and  forever. !  " 

Accustomed  to  compel  compliance  with  his  wishes,  it  was 
difficult  for  him  to  patiently  endure  defiance  and  defeat  from 
that  fair  young  creature,  whom  he  began  to  perceive  he  could 
neither  overawe  nor  persuade. 

For  several  minutes  he  seemed  lost  in  thought,  still  holding  her 
hands  firmly ;  then  he  suddenly  laughed,  and  stooped  toward  her : 

"  Brave  true  little  heart !  I  wonder  if  some  day  you  will  be 
as  steadfast  and  faithful  in  your  devotion  to  your  husband,  as 
you  have  been  in  your  loving  defence  of  your  mother  ?  You 
need  not  tell  me  your  secret, — I  know  everything  ; — and  Lily 
— I  can  scarcely  forgive  you  for  venturing  within  the  reach  and 
power  of  that  wretched  vagabond." 

He  felt  her  start  and  shiver,  and  pitying  the  terrified  expres 
sion  that  drifted  into  her  countenance,  he  continued  : 

"  Unconsciously,  you  were  giving  alms  to  your  own,  and  to 
your  mother's  worst  enemy.  Peleg  Peterson  has  for  years 
stood  between  you,  and  your  lawful  name." 

She  reeled,  and  her  fingers  closed  spasmodically  over  his,  as 
white  and  faint,  she  gasped  : 

"  Then  he  is  not— my  " 

The  words  died  on  her  quivering  lips. 


39° 


INFELICE. 


. "  He  is  the  man  who  has  slandered  and  traduced  your  mother, 
— even  to  her  own  husband." 

"  Oh  !  then, — he  is  not, — he  cannot  be  my — father  !  " 

"  No  more  your  father,  than  I  am  !  At  last,  1  have  succeeded 
in  obtaining" 

She  was  beyond  the  reach  even  of  his  voice,  and  as  she 
drooped,  he  caught  her  in  his  arms. 

Since  Monday,  the  terrible  strain  had  known  no  relaxation, 
and  the  sudden  release  from  the  horrible  incubus  of  Peleg  Pe 
terson,  was  overpowering. 

Mr.  Palma  held  her  for  some  seconds  clasped  to  his  heart, 
and  placing  the  head  on  his  bosom,  turned  the  white  face  to  his. 
How  hungrily  the  haughty  man  hung  over  those  wan  features  ; 
and  what  a  wealth  of  passionate  tenderness  thrilled  in  the  low 
trembling  voice  that  whispered  : 

"  My  Lily.     My  darling; — my  own." 

He  kissed  her  softly,  as  if  the  cold  lips  were  too  sacred  even 
for  his  loving  touch,  and  gently  placed  her  on  the  sofa,  holding 
her  with  his  encircling  arm. 

Since  his  boyhood,  no  woman's  lips  had  ever  pressed  his,  and 
the  last  kiss  he  had  bestowed  was  upon  his  mother's  brow,  as 
she  lay  in  her  coffin. 

To-night  the  freshness  of  youth  came  back,  and  the  cold, 
politic,  non-committal  lawyer  found  himself  for  the  first  time,  an 
ardent  trembling  lover. 

He  watched  the  faint  quiver  of  her  blue-veined  lids,  and 
heard  the  shuddering  sigh,  that  assured  him  consciousness  was 
returning.  Softly  stroking  her  hand,  he  saw  the  eyes  at  last 
unclose. 

"  You  certainly  have  been  down  among  your  uncanny  Un 
dine  caves  ; — for  you  quite  resemble  a  drenched  lily.  No\v 
sit  up." 

He  lifted  her  back  into  the  easy-chair,  as  if  she  had  been  an 
infant,  and  stood  before  her. 

As  her  mind  cleared,  she  recalled  what  had  passed,  and  said 
almost  in  a  whisper  : 


INF  ELI  CE.  391 

"  Did  I  dream,  or  did  you  tell  me,  that  horrible  man  is  not 
my  father  ?  " 

"  I  told  you  so.  He  is  a  black-hearted,  vindictive  miscreant, 
who  successfully  blackmailed  you,  by  practising  a  vile  impos 
ture." 

"  Oh  !  are  you  quite  sure  ?  " 

"  Perfectly  sure.  I  have  been  hunting  him  for  years,  and  at 
last  have  obtained  in  black  and  white  his  own  confession,  which 
nobly  exonerates  your  mother  from  his  infamous  aspersions." 

"  Thank  God  !     Thank  God  !  " 

Tears  were  stealing  down  her  cheeks,  and  he  saw  from  the 
twitching  of  her  face,  that  she  was  fast  losing  control  of  her 
overtaxed  nerves. 

"You  must  go  to  your  room,  and  rest,  or  you  will  be  ill." 

"  Oh  !  not  if  I  am  sure  he  will  never  dare  to  claim  me  as  his 
child.  Oh  Mr.  Palma  !  that  possibility  has  almost  driven  me 
wild." 

"  Dismiss  it,  as  you  would  some  hideous  nightmare.  Go  to 
sleep  and  dream  of  your  mother,  and  of" 

He  bit  his  lip,  to  check  the  rash  words,  and  too  much  agi 
tated  to  observe  his  changed  manner,  she  asked  : 

"  Where  is  he  now  ?  " 

"  No  matter  where.  He  is  so  completely  in  my  power,  that 
he  can  trouble  us  no  more." 

She  clasped  her  hands  joyfully,  but  the  tears  fell  faster,  and 
looking  at  her  mother's  picture,  she  exclaimed  : 

"  Have  mercy  upon  me, — Mr.  Palma  !  Tell  me — do  you 
know — who  I  am  ?  Do  you  really  know  beyond  doubt  who 
was — or  is — my  father  ?  " 

"  This  much  I  can  tell  you,  I  know  your  father's  name  ; — 
but  just  now,  I  am  forbidden  by  your  mother  to  disclose  it, 
even  to  you.  Come  to  your  room." 

He  raised  her  from  the  chair,  and  as  she  stood  before  him, 
it  was  pitiable  to  witness  the  agonized  entreaty  in  her  pallid  but 
beautiful  face. 

"  Please  tell  me  only  one  thing, — and  I  can  bear  all  else 


392  INFELICE. 

patiently.  Was  he, — was  my  father — a  gentleman  ?  Oh  !  my 
mother  could  never  have  loved  any — but  a  gentleman." 

"  His  treatment  of  her,  and  of  you,  would  scarcely  entitle 
him  to  that  honorable  epithet ;  yet  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
your  father  assuredly  is  in  every  respect  a  gentleman, — is  con 
sidered  even  an  aristocrat." 

She  sobbed  aloud,  and  the  violence  of  her  emotion,  which 
she  seemed  unable  to  control,  alarmed  him.  Leading  her  to 
the  library  door,  he  said, — retaining  her  hand. 

"  Compose  yourself,  or  you  will  be  really  sick.  Now  that 
your  poor  tortured  heart  is  easy,  can  you  not  go  to  sleep  ?  " 

"  Oh  thank  you  !     Yes— I  will  try." 

"  Lily  next  time  trust  me.  Trust  your  guardian  in  every 
thing.  Good-night.  God  bless  you." 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

|HE  dice  of  the  gods  are  always  loaded/  and  what 
appears  the  merest  chance, — is  as  inexorably  fixed, 
— predetermined, — as  the  rules  of  mathematics,  or 
the  laws  of  crystallization.     What  madness  to  flout  fate  !  " 

Mrs.  Orme  laid  down  her  pen  as  she  spoke,  and  leaned  back 
in  her  chair. 

"  Did  you  speak  to  me  ?  "  inquired  Mrs.  Waul,  who  had 
been  nodding  over  her  worsted  work,  and  was  aroused  by  the 
sound  of  the  voice. 

"  No, — I  was  merely  thinking  aloud  ;  a  foolish  habit  I  have 
contracted  since  I  began  to  aspire  to  literary  laurels.  Go  to 
sleep  again,  and  finish  your  dream." 

"Upon  the  writing  desk  lay  a  MS.  in  morocco  cover,  and 
secured  by  heavy  bronze  clasps,  into  which  the  owner  put  a 
small  key  attached  to  her  watch  chain,  carefully  locking  and 
laying  it  away  in  a  drawer  of  the  desk. 


INFELICE.  393 

Approaching  a  table  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  Mrs.  Orme 
filled  a  tall  narrow  Venetian  glass  with  that  violet-flavored, 
violet-perfumed  Capri  wine,  whose  golden  bubbles  danced 
upon  the  brim,  and  having  drained  the  last  amber  drop, — 
she  rolled  her  chair  close  to  the  window,  looped  back  the  cur 
tains,  and  sat  down. 

The  lodgings  she  had  occupied  since  her  arrival  in  Naples, 
were  situated  on  the  Riviera  di  Chiaja,  near  the  Villa  Reale, 
and  not  far  from  the  divergence  into  the  Strada  Mergellina. 
Of  the  wonderful  beauty  of  the  scene  beyond  her  front  windows, 
she  had  never  weaned,  and  now  in  the  ravishing  afternoon  glow, 
with  the  blue  air  all  saturated  with  golden -gleams,  she  yielded 
to  the  Parthenopean  spell,  which  once  felt,  seems  never  to  be 
forgotten. 

Had  it  the  power  to  chant  to  rest  that  sombre  past,  which 
memory  kept  as  a  funereal  theme  forever  on  its  vibrating 
strings  ?  Was  there  at  last  a  file  for  the  serpent,  that  had  so 
long  made  its  lair  in  her  distorted  and  envenomed  nature  ? 

At  thirty-three  time  ceases  to  tread  with  feathery  feet,  and 
the  years  grow  self-asserting,  italicize  themselves  in  passing ; — 
and  across  the  dial  of  woman's  beauty,  the  shadow  of  decadence 
falls  aslant.  But  although  Mrs.  Orme  had  offered  sacrifice  to 
that  inexorable  Terminus,  who  dwells  at  the  last  border  line  of 
youth, — the  ripeness  and  glow  of  her  extraordinary  loveliness 
showed  as  yet  no  hint  of  the  coming  eclipse. 

Health  lent  to  cheek  and  lip  its  richest,  warmest  tints,  and 
though  the  silvery  splendor  of  hope  shone  no  longer  in  the 
eloquent  brown  eyes, — the  light  of  an  almost  accomplished 
triumph  imparted  a  baleful  brilliance,  which  even  the  long 
lashes  could  not  veil. 

Her  pale  lilac  robe  showed  admirably  the  transparency  of 
her  complexion,  and  in  her  waving  gilded  hair  she  wore  a  clus 
ter  of  delicate  rose  anemones. 

Her  gaze  seemed  to  have  crossed  the  blue  pavement  of  sea, 
and  rested  on  the  purpling  outlines  of  Ischia  and  Capri  ;  but 
the  dimpling  smile  that  crossed  her  face,  sprang  from  no  dreamy 
17* 


394  INF E  LICE. 

reverie  of  Parthenope  legends,  and  her  voice  was  low  and  deep, 
like  one  rehearsing  for  some  tragic  outbreak. 

"So  Samson  felt  in  Dagon's  temple, — amid  the  jubilee  of 
his  tormentors, — when  silent  and  calm,  girded  only  by  the 
-e  of  his  wrongs,  he  meekly  bowed  to  rest  himself; — and  all 
the' while  his  arms  groped  stealthily  around  the  pillars  destined 
to  avenge  him.  Ah  !  how  calm,  how  holy  all  outside  of  my 
heart  seems  !  How  in  contrast  with  that  charnel-house, — yon 
der  vision  of  peaceful  loveliness  appears  as  incongruous, as 

the  nightingales  which  the  soul  of  Sophocles  heard  singing  in 
the  grove  of  the  Furies  ?  After  to-da^v,  will  the  world  ever  look 
quite  the  same  to  me?  Thirty-three  years  have  brought  me 
swiftly  to  the  last  fatal  page ;— and  shall  the  hand  falter,  that 
writes  finis  ?  " 

A  strangely  solemn  expression  drifted  over  her  countenance, 
but  at  that  moment  a  tall  form  darkened  the  doorway,  and  she 
smiled. 

"Come  in  Gen.  Laurance.  Punctuality  is  essentially  an 
American  virtue,  rarely  displayed  in  this  dole e  far  niente  land  ; 
and  you  exemplify  its  nationality.  Five  was  the  hour  you 
named,  and  my  little  Swiss  tell-tale  is  even  now  sounding  the 
last  stroke." 

She  did  not  rise,  seemed  on  the  contrary,  to  sink  farther  back 
in  her  velvet-lined  chair ;  and  bending  down  Gen.  Laurance 
touched  her  hand. 

"  When  a  man's  happiness  for  all  time  is  at  stake,  does  he 
loiter  on  his  way  to  receive  the  verdict  ?  Surely  you  will  " 

He  paused  and  glanced  significantly  at  the  figure  whose  white 
cap  was  bowed  low,  as  its  wearer  slumbered  over  the  intermin 
able  crochet. 

"May  not  this  interview  at  least,  be  sacred  from  the  pres 
ence  of  your  keepers  ?  " 

"  Poor  dear  soul,  she  is  happily  oblivious,  and  will  take  no 
stenographic  notes.  1  would  as  soon  declare  war  against  my 
own  shadow,  as  order  her  away." 

Evidently  chagrined,  ti  stood  irresolute,  and  mean 


IXFELICE. 


395 


while  the  gaze  of  his  companion  wandered  back  to  the  beauty 
of  the  Bay. 

He  drew  a  chair  close  to  that  which  she  occupied,  and  hold 
ing  his  hat  as  a  screen,  should  Mrs.  Waul's  spectacles  chance  to 
turn  in  that  direction, — spoke  earnestly. 

u  Have  I  been  unpardonably  presumptuous  in  interpreting 
favorably  this  permission  to  see  you  once  more  ?  Have  you 
done  me  the  honor  to  ponder  the  contents  of  my  letter  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  have  pondered  well  the  contents." 

She  kept  her  hands  beyond  his  reach,  and  looking  steadily 
into  his  eager  handsome  face,  she  saw  it  flush  dee 

••  Madame  I  trust,  I  believe  you  are  incapable  of  trifling." 

"  In  which,  you  do  me  bare  justice,  only.  With  me  the  time  for 
g  is  past ;  and  just  now.  life  has  put  on  all  its  tragic  vest 
ments.  But  how  long  since  Gen.  Laurance  believed  me  incap 
able  of — worse  than  trifling?" 

"  Ever  since  my  infamous  folly  was  reproved  by  you  as  it  de 
served.  Ever  since  you  taught  me  that  you  were  even  more 
noble  in  soul,  than  lovely  in  person.  Be  generous,  and  do  not 
humiliate  me  by  recalling  that  temporary  insanity.  Having 
blundered  fearfully, -in  my  ignorance  of  your  real  character,  does 
not  the  offer  of  yesterday  embody  all  the  reparation, — all  the 
atonement  of  which  a  man  is  capable  ?  " 

'•You  desire  me  to  consider  the  proposal  contained  in  your 
letter,  as  an  expiation  for  past  offences, — as  an  amende  honorable 
for  what  might  have  ripened  into  insult,  had  it  not  been  nipped 
in  the  bud  ?  Do  I  translate  correctly,  your  gracious  diction  ?  " 

<:  No  you  cruelly  torment  me  by  referring  to  an  audacious 
and  shameful  offence,  for  which  I  blush." 

44  Successful  sins  are  unencumbered  by  penitential  oblations, 
—and  only  discovered  and  defeated  crimes  arouse  conscience, 
and  paint  one's  cheeks  with  mortification.  Gen.  Laurance 
merely  illustrates  a  great  social  I 

"  Do  not  dear  madam  keep  me  in  this  fiery  suspense.  I  have 
offered  you  all,  that  a  gentleman  can  lay  at  the  feet  of  the  wo 
man  he  loves." 


396  INF E  LICE. 

A  cold  smile  lighted  her  face,  as  some  arctic  moonbeam 
gleams  for  an  instant  across  the  spires  and  domes  of  an  ice 
berg. 

"  Once  you  attempted  to  offer  me  your  heart, — or  what  re 
mains  of  its  ossified  ruins; — which  I  declined.  Now,  you  ten 
der  me  your  hand  and  name, — and  indeed  it  appears  that  like 
many  of  the  high-born  class  you  so  nobly  represent,  your  heart 
and  hand  have  never  hitherto  been  conjoined  in  your  devoir. 
It  were  a  melancholy  pity,  they  should  be  eternally  divorced." 

Bending  over  her,  he  exclaimed  : 

"  As  heaven  hears  me, — I  swear  I  love  you  better  than  life, 
— than  everything  else  that  the  broad  earth  holds  !  You  can 
not  possibly  doubt  my  sincerity,  for  you  hold  the  proof  in  your 
own  hands.  Be  merciful  Odille,  and  end  my  anxiety." 

He  caught  her  hand,  and  as  she  attempted  no  resistance,  he 
raised  it  to  his  moustached  lip.  Her  eyes  were  resting  upon 
the  blue  expanse  of  water, — as  if  far  away, — across  the  vast  vista 
of  the  Mediterranean,  she  sought  some  strengthening  influence, 
— some  sacred  inspiration  ;  and  after  a  moment,  turning  them 
full  upon  his  countenance,  she  said  with  grave  stony  composure  : 

"  You  have  asked  me  to  become  your  wife, — knowing  full  well 
that  no  affection  would  prompt  me  to  entertain  the  thought ; 
and  you  must  be  thoroughly  convinced  that  only  sordid  motives 
of  policy  could  influence  me  to  accept  you.  Do  men  who 
marry  under  such  circumstances  honor  and  trust  the  women, 
who  as  a  dernier  ressort  bear  their  names  ?  You  are  not  so 
weak,  so  egregiously  vain,  as  to  delude  yourself  for  one  instant, 
with  the  supposition  that  I  could  ever  love  you  ?" 

"  Once  my  wife,  I  ask  nothing  more.  Upon  my  own  head 
and  life,  be  the  failure  to  make  you  love  me.  Only  give  me  this 
hand, — and  I  will  take  your  heart.  Can  a  lover  ask  less, — and 
hazard  more  ?  " 

"  And  if  you  fail— wofully, — as  fail  you  must  ?" 

"  I  shall  not.  You  cannot  awe  or  discourage  me,  for  I  have 
yet  'to  find  the  heart  that  successfully  defies  my  worship.  But 
if  you  remained  indifferent, — ah  loveliest  !  you  would  not ! 


INF E  LICE.  39j 

Even  then,  I  should  be  blessed  by  your  presence, — your  society 
— and  that  alone,  were  worth  all  other  women  !  " 

"  Even  though  it  cost  you  the  heavy,  galling  burden  of  mar 
riage  vows,— an  exorbitant  price, — which  only  necessity  ex 
torts?  How  vividly  we  of  the  nineteenth  century  exemplify  the 
wisdom  of  the  classic  aphorisms  ?  Quern  Deus  vult  perdere, 
prius  dej/ientat.  Have  you  no  fear  that  you  are  seizing  with 
bare  fingers  a  glittering  thirsty  blade,  which  may  flesh  itself  in 
the  hand  that  dares  to  caress  it  ?  " 

"  I  fear  nothing,  but  your  rejection  ;  and  though  you  should 
prove  Judith  or  Jael, — I  would  disarm  you  thus." 

Again  he  kissed  the  fair  slender  hand,  and  clasped  it  tenderly 
between  both  his  own. 

"  A  man  of  your  years  does  not  lightly  forsake  the  traditions 
of  his  Caste,  and  the  usages  of  his  ancestors  ;  and  what  can 
patricians  like  Gen.  Laurance  hope  to  secure  by  stooping  to 
the  borders  of  prohtaire  ?  " 

"  The  woman  whom  he  loves.  To  you  I  will  confess,  that 
never  until  within  the  past  six  or  eight  months,  have  I  really 
comprehended  the  power  of  genuine  love.  Early  in  life,  I  mar 
ried  a  high-born,  gentle,  true-hearted  woman,  who  made  me  a 
good  faithful  wife  ;  but  into  that  alliance,  my  heart  never-  en 
tered,  and  although  for  many  years  I  have  been  free  to  admire 
whom  fickle  fancy  chose,  and  have  certainly  petted  and  caressed 
some,  whom  the  world  pronounced  very  lovely, — the  impression 
made  upon  me  was  transient,  as  the  perfume  of  a  blossom 
plucked  and  worn  for  a  few  hours  only.  You  have  exerted  over 
me  a  fascination  which  I  can  neither  explain  nor  resist.  For 
you  I  entertain  feelings,  never  aroused  in  my  nature  until  now; 
and  I  speak  only  the  simple  truth,  when  1  solemnly  swear  to 
yen  upon  the  honor  of  a  Laurance,  that  you  are  the  only  woman 
1  have  ever  truly  and  ardently  loved." 

"  The  honor  of  a  Laurance  ?  What  more  sacred  pledge 
could  I  possibly  desire?" 

The  fingers  of  her  free  hand  were  toying  with  the  small  gold 
chain  around  her  neck,  to  which  was  fastened  the  hidden  wed 


398  INF E  LICE. 

ding  ring  of  black  agate,  with  its  white  skull ;  and  as  she  spoke, 
her  scarlet  lips  paled  perceptibly,  and  her  soft  dreamy  eyes 
began  to  glitter. 

"  Ah  !  1  repeat,  upon  my  honor  as  a  gentleman,  and  a  Lau- 
rance  ; — and  a  holier  oath  no  man  could  offer.  Of  my  proud 
unsullied  name,  I  am  fastidiously  careful,  and  can  even  you 
demand  or  hope  a  nobler  one  than  that,  I  now  lay  at  your 
feet  ?  " 

"The  name  of  Laurance  ?  Certainly  I  think  it  would  satisfy 
even  my  ambition." 

He  felt  the  pretty  hand  grow  suddenly  cold  in  his  clasp,  and 
saw  the  thin  delicate  nostril  expand  slightly,  as  she  fixed  her 
brilliant  eyes  on  his,  and  smiled.  Then  she  continued-: 

"  Is  it  not  too  sacred  and  aristocratic  a  mantle  to  fling 
around  an  obscure  actress,  of  whose  pedigree  and  antecedent 
life  you  know  nothing, — save  that  widowhood  and  penury 
goaded  her  to  histrionic  exhibitions  of  a  beauty, — that  sometimes 
threatened  to  subject  her  to  impertinence,  and  insult?  Put 
aside  the  infatuation  which  not  unfrequently  attacks  men,  who 
like  you  are  rapidly  descending  the  hill  of  life, — approaching 
the  stage  of  second  childlike  simplicity, — and  listen  for  a 
moment  to  the  cold  dictates  of  prudence  and  policy.  Suppose 
that  ere  you  surrendered  your  reason  to  the  magnetism  of  what 
you  are  pleased  to  consider  my  *  physical  perfection,' — one  of 
your  relatives,  a  brother,  or  say  even  your  son, — had  met  me 
at  Milan  as  you  did, — and  madly  forgetting  his  family  rank,  his 
aristocratic  ties,  all  the  pride  and  worldly  wisdom  of  heredity, 
had  while  in  a  fit  of  complete  dementia,  offered  as  you  have 
done — to  clothe  my  humble  obscurity  in  the  splendid  name  of 
Laurance?  Would  Gen.  Rene  Laurance  have  pardoned  him, 
and  received  me,  as  his  sister,  or  his  daughter  ?  " 

"  Could  I  censure  any  man  for  surrendering  to  charms, 
which  have  so  completely  vanquished  me?  Thank  heaven! 
I  have  neither  brother  nor  son  to  rival  me.  My  only  child — 
Cuthbert,  is  safely  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  wedlock,  and  hav 
ing  his  own  family  ties, — I  am  free  to  consult  only  my  heart, 


IN  FELICE.  399 

in  the  choice  of  a  bride.  I  have  not  journeyed  so  far  down  the 
hill  of  life,  as  you  cruelly  persist  in  asserting, — and  the  fervor 
of  my  emotions  denies  your  unkind  imputation.  When  I 
proudly  show  the  world  the  lovely  wife  of  my  heart's  choice, 
you  will  find  my  devotion  a  noble  refutation  of  your  unflatter 
ing  estimate.  But  a  moment  since,  you  confessed  that  to  ex 
change  the  name  of  Orme  for  that  of  Laurance, — would  crown 
your  ambition  ; — my  dearest  the  truth  has  escaped  you." 

With  a  sudden  gesture  of  loathing,  she  threw  off  his  hand, — 
struck  her  palms  together,  and  he  started  at  the  expression 
that  seemed  literally  to  blaze  in  her  eyes, — so  vivid  so  wither 
ing  was  the  light  that  rayed  out. 

"  Yes — the  truth  escaped  my  lips.  The  honorable  name  of 
Laurance  is  talismanic, — and  offers  much  to  Odille  Orme  ; 
yet  I  will  stain  my  soul  with  no  dissimulation.  With  love  and 
romance,  I  finished  long, — long  ago  ;  and  to-day  I  have  not 
patience  to  trifle  even  with  its  phraseology.  I  am  thirty-three, 
and  in  my  early  girlhood  the  one  love  dream  of  all  my  life  was 
rudely  broken, — leaving  me  no  more  capacity  to  indulge  a 
second, — than  belongs  to  those  marbles  in  the  Muscc  Bonr- 
bonique.  For  my  dear  young  husband  I  felt  the  only  intense, 
idolatrous, — yes,  blindly  worshipping  devotion,  that  iny  nature 
could  yield  to  any  human  being.  When  I  lost  him, — I  lost  my 
heart  also  ; — became  doubly  widowed,  because  my  grief  bereft 
me  of  the  power  of  properly 'loving  even  our  little  baby.  For 
years,  I  have  given  my  body  and  soul  to  the  accomplishment  of 
one  purpose, — the  elevation  of  my  social  status,  and  that  of 
my  child.  Had  my  husband  been  spared  to  me,  we  would  not 
have  remained  obscure  and  poor,  but  after  my  widowhood  the 
struggle  devolved  upon  me.  I  have  not  had  leisure  to  think  of 
love, — have  toiled  solely  for  maintenance  and  position  ;  and  have 
sternly  held  myself  aloof  from  the  world,  that  dared  to  believe 
my  profession  rendered  me  easy  of  access.  Titles  have  been 
laid  at  my  feet,  but  their  glitter  seemed  fictitious,  did  not 
allure  me ;  and  no  other  name  save  yours,  has  ever  for  an  in 
stant  tempted  me.  To-day  you  are  here  to  plead  my  accept- 


4oo  INFELICE, 

ance  of  that  name,  and  frankly, — I  tell  you  sir,  it  dazzles  me. 
As  an  American  I  know  all  that  it  represents, — all  that  it 
would  confer  on  me, — all  that  it  would  prove  for  my  child,  and 
I  would  rather  wear  the  name  of  Laurance,  than — a  coronet  ! 
I  confess  I  have  but  one  ambition, — to  lift  my  daughter  into 
that  high  social  plane, — from  which  fate  excluded  her  mother ; 
— and  this  eminence  I  covet  for  her,  a  marriage  with  you, 
promises  me.  I  have  no  heart  to  bring  you  ;  mine  died  with 
all  my  wifely  hopes,  when  I  lost  my  husband.  If  I  consent  to 
give  you  my  hand, — and  nominally  the  claim  of  a  husband, — 
in  exchange  for  the  privilege  of  merging  Orme  in  Laurance, 
it  must  be  upon  certain  solemn  conditions,  to  the  fulfilment  of 
which  your  traditional  honor  is  pledged.  Is  a  Laurance  safely 
bound  by  vows?  " 

Her  voice  had  grown  strangely  metallic,  losing  all  its  liquid 
sweetness,  and  as  her  gaze  searched  his  face,  the  striking 
resemblance  she  traced  in  his  eyes  and  mouth,  to  those  of 
Cuthbert  and  Regina,  seemed  to  stab  her  heart. 

To  the  man  who  listened  and  watched  with  breathless  anxiety 
her  hardening,  whitening  features,  she  merely  recalled  the 
memory  of  her  own  tragic  "Medea"  confronting  "Jason"  at 
Athens. 

"Only  accept  my  vows  at  the  altar,  and  I  challenge  the 
world  to  breathe  an  imputation  upon  their  sanctity.  Rene 
Laurance  never  broke  a  promise, — never  forfeited  a  pledge, — 
and  to  keep  his  name  unsullied, — his  honor  stainless, — is  his 
Bole  religion.  Odille  my  Queen" 

She  rose  and  waved  him  back. 

"  Spare  me  rhapsodies  that  accord  neither  with  your  years, 
nor  my  sentiments.  Understand,  it  is  a  mere  bargain  and  sale, 
and  1  am, carefully  arranging  the  conditions.  For  myself  I  ask 
'little,  but  as  you  are  aware,  my  daughter  is  grown,  is  now  in 
her  seventeenth  year,  and  the  man  whom  the  world  regards 
as  my  husband,  must  share  his  name  and  fortune  with  my  child. 
Doubtless  you  deem  me  calculating  and  mercenary,  and  for 
her  deal  sake— I  am  forced  to  be  so ;  for  all  the  tender- 


INFELICE. 


401 


ness  that  remains  in  my  nature,  is  centred  in  rny  little  girl. 
She  has  been  reared  as  carefully  as  a  princess,  is  accomplished 
and  very  beautiful,  and  when  you  see  her — I  think  you  will 
scarcely  refuse  the  tribute  of  your  admiration  and  affection." 

For  an  instant,  a  gray  pallor  spread  from  lip  to  brow,  and 
the  unhappy  woman  shuddered ;  but  rallying,  she  moved  across 
the  floor  to  her  writing-desk,  and  the  infatuated  man  followed, 
whispering : 

"If  she  resembles  her  mother,  can  you  doubt  her  perfect 
and  prompt  adoption  into  my  heart  ?  " 

"My  daughter  is  unlike  me ;  is  so  entirely  the  image  of  her 
lost  father, — that  the  sight  of  her  beauty  sometimes  over 
whelms  me  with  torturing  memories.  Here  Gen.  Laurance 
is  a  carefully  written  paper,  which  I  submit  for  your  examina 
tion  and  mature  reflection.  When  in  the  presence  of  proper 
witnesses  you  sign  that  contract,  you  "will  have  purchased 
the  right  to  claim  my  hand, — mark  you — only  my  hand,  at  the 
altar." 

It  was  a  cautiously  worded  marriage  settlement,  drawn  up  in 
conformity  with  legal  requirements  ;  and  its  chief  exaction  was 
the  adoption  of  Regina,  the  transmission  of  the  name  of 
Laurance, — and  the  settlement  upon  her  of  a  certain  amount 
of  money  in  stocks  and  bonds,  exclusive  of  any  real  estate. 

As  he  received  the  paper  and  opened  it,  Mrs.  Onne  added  : 

"  Take  your  own  time,  and  weigh  the  conditions  carefully 
and  deliberately." 

"Stay  Odille ; — do  not  leave  me.  A  few  moments  will 
suffice  for  this  matter,  and  I  am  in  no  mood  to  endure 
suspense." 

"  Within  an  hour,  you  can  at  least  comprehend  what  I  de 
mand.  I  am  going  to  the  terrace  of  the  Villa  Reale,  and 
when  in  accordance  with  that  contract  you  decide  to  adopt  my 
child,  and  present  her  to  the  world  as  your  own,  you  will  find 
me  on  the  terrace." 

He  would  have  taken  her  hand,  but  she  walked  away,  and 
disappeared,  closing  a  door  behind  her. 


402  INFELICE. 

His  hat  had  rolled  out  of  sight,  and  as  he  searched  hurriedly 
for  it,  Mrs.  Waul  spoke  from  her  distant  recess  : 

"  Gen.  Laurance  will  find  his  hat  between  the  ottoman  and 
the  window." 

The  winding  walks  of  the  Villa  were  comparatively  deserted, 
when  Mrs.  Orme  began  to  pace  slowly  to  and  fro  beneath  the 
trees,  whose  foliage  swayed  softly  in  the  mild  evening  air. 
When  the  few  remaining  groups  had  passed  beyond  her  vision, 
she  threw  back  the  long  thick  veil  that  had  effectually  concealed 
her  features,  and  approaching  the  parapet  that  overhung  the 
sea,  sat  down.  Removing  her  hat  and  veil,  she  placed  them 
beside  her  on  the  seat,  and  resting  her  hands  on  the  iron  railing, 
bowed  her  chin  upon  them,- — and  looked  out  upon  the  sea 
murmuring  at  the  foot  of  the  wall. 

The  flush  and  sparkle  of  an  hour  ago,  had  vanished  so  utterly, 
that  it  appeared  incredible  that  color,  light,  and  dimples  could 
ever  wake  again  in  that  frozen  face,  over  whose  rigid  features 
brooded  the  calm  of  stone. 

"A  woman  fair  and  stately, 
But  pale  as  are  the  dead,"  — 

she  seemed  some  impassive  soulless  creature, — incapable  alike 
of  remorse  or  of  hope,  allured  by  no  future,  frightened  by  no 
past ; — silently  fronting  at  last  the  one  sunless,  joyless  dreary 
goal,  whose  attainment  had  been  for  years  the  paramount  aim 
of  her  stranded  life.  The  rosy  glow  of  dying  day  yet  lingered 
in  the  sky,  and  tinged  the  sea,  and  a  golden  moon  followed  by 
a  few  shy  stars,  watched  their  shining  images  twinkling  in  the 
tremulous  water  ;  but  the  loveliest  object  upon  which  their  soft 
light  fell,  was  that  lonely,  wan,  lilac-robed  woman. 

So  Jephtha's  undaunted  daughter  might  have  looked,  as  she 
'saw  the  Syrian  sun  sink  below  the  palms  and  poppies, — know 
ing  that  when  it  rose  once  more  upon  the  smiling  happy  world, 
her  sacrifice  would  have  been  accomplished, — her  fate  forever 
sealed ;  or  so  perhaps  Alcestis  watched  the  slow-coming  foot 
steps  of  that  dreadful  hour,  when  for  her  beloved  she  voluntarily 
relinquished  life. 


JNFELICE. 


403 


To  die  for  those  we  love,  were  easy  martyrdom, — but  to  live 
in  sacrificial  throes  fierce  as  Dirce's  tortures, — to  endure  for 
tedious  indefinite  lingering  years, — jilted  by  death, — demands  a 
fortitude  higher  than  that  of  Cato,  Socrates  or  Seneca. 

To  all  of  us  come  sooner  or  later,  lurid  fateful  hours,  that 
bring  us  face  to  face  with  the  pale  Parcag  ; — so  close  that  we 
see  the  motionless  distaff, — and  the  glitter  of  the  opening  shears, 
— and  have  no  wish  to  stay  the  clipping  of  the  frayed  and 
tangled  thread. 

In  comparison  with  the  grim  destiny  Mrs.  Orme  had  so  syste 
matically  planned,  the  hideous  "  death  in  life,"  upon  which  she 
was  deliberately  preparing  to  enter, — a  leap  over  that  wall  into 
the  placid  sea  beneath,  would  have  been  welcome  as  heaven  to 
tortured  Dives  ; — but  despite  the  loathing  and  horror  of  her 
sickened  and  outraged  soul,  she  contemplated  her  future  lot  as 
calmly,  as  St.  Lawrence  the  heating  of  his  gridiron. 

Over  the  beautiful  blue  bay,  where  the  moon  had  laid  her 
pavement  of  gold,  floated  a  low  sweet  song, — a  simple  bar 
carolle, — that  came  from  a  group  of  happy  souls  in  a  small 
boat. 

"  Che  cosi  vual  que  pesci 

Fiduline  ! 

L'anel  que  me  casca 
Nella  bella  mia  barca 
Nella  bella  se  ne  va. 
Fiduline." 

Approaching  the  shore,  the  ruddy  light  burning  at  one  end 
of  the  boat  showed  its  occupants  ;  a  handsome  athletic  young 
fisherman,  and  his  pretty  childish  wife,  hushing  her  baby  in  her 
arms,  with  a  slow  cradle-like  movement  that  kept  time  to  her 


husband's  song. 


'  Te  daro  cento  scudi 

Fiduline. 

Sta  borsa  riccama 
For  la  bella  sua  barca 
Colla  bella  se  ne  va. 
Fidulilalo,  Fiduline." 


4°4 


INFELICE. 


Springing  ashore  he-secured  the  boat,  and  held  out  his  arms 
for  the  sleeping  bud  that  contained  in  its  folded  petals,  all  their 
domestic  hopes ; — and  as  the  star  eyed  young  mother  kissed 
it  lightly  and  laid  it  in  its  father's  arms,  the  happy  pair  walked 
away,  leaving  the  echo  of  their  gay  musical  chatter  lingering  on 
the  air. 

To  the  woman  who  watched  and  listened  from  the  parapet 
above,  it  seemed  a  panel  rosy,  dewy,  fresh  from  Tempe,  set  as 
a  fresco  upon  the  walls  of  Hell,  to  heighten  the  horrors  of  the 
doomed. 

From  her  chalice  fate  had  stolen  all  that  was  sweet  and 
rapturous  in  wifehood,  and  motherhood,  substituting  hemlock  ; 
and  as  the  vision  of  her  own  fair  child  was  recalled  by  the 
sleeping  babe  of  the  Italian  fisherman,  she  suffered  a  keen 
pang  in  the  consciousness  that  those  tender  features  of  her 
innocent  daughter  reproduced  vividly  the  image  of  the  man, 
who  had  blackened  her  life. 

The  face  in  Regina's  portrait,  was  so  thoroughly  Laurance 
in  outline,  and  Laurance  in  color,  that  the  mother  had  covered 
it  with  a  thick  veil  ; — unable  to  meet  the  deep  violet  eyes,  that 
she  had  learned  to  hate  in  Rene  Laurance  and  his  son. 

Yet  for  the  sake  of  that  daughter,  whose  gaze  she  shunned, 
she  was  about  to  step  down  into  flames,  far  fiercer  than  those 
of  Tophet, — silently  immolating  all  that  remained  of  her  life. 

Although  she  neither  turned  her  head,  nor  removed  her  eyes 
from  the  sea,  she  knew  that  the  end  was  at  hand.  For  one 
instant  her  heart  seemed  to  cease  beating, — then  with  a  keen 
spasm  of  pain  slowly  resumed  its  leaden  labor. 

The  erect,  graceful,  manly  figure  at  her  side  bent  down,  and 
the  grizzled  moustache  touched  her  forehead. 

"  Odille  I  accept  your  terms.  Henceforth  in  accordance 
with  your  own  conditions,  you  are  mine  ; — mine  in  the  sight  of 
God  and  man." 

Recoiling,  she  drew  her  handkerchief  across  the  spot  where 
his  lips  had  rested, — and  her  voice  sounded  strangely  cold  and 
haughty : 


INFELICE.  405 

"God  holds  Himself  aloof  from  such. sacrilege  as  this, — and 
sometimes  I  think  He  does  not  witness,  or  surely  would  for 
bid.  Just  yet,  you  must  not  touch  me.  You  accept  the  con 
ditions  named,  and  I  shall  hold  myself  bound  by  the  stipula 
tions  ;  but  untit  I  am  your  wife,  until  you  take  my  hand  as 
Mrs.  Lamance, — you  will  pardon  me  if  I  absolutely  prohibit 
all  caresses.  I  am  very  frank  you  see,  and  doubtless  you  con 
sider  me  peculiar, — probably  prudish,  but  only  a  husband's  lips 
can  touch  mine,  only  a  husband's  arm  encircle  me.  When  we 
are  married," 

She  did  not  complete  the  sentence,  but  a  peculiar,  musical 
laugh  rippled  over  her  lips,  and  she  held  out  her  hand  to  him. 

"  Remember  I  promised  Gen.  Laurance  only  my  hand,  and 
here  I  surrender  it.  You  have  fairly  earned  it,  but  I  fear  it 
will  not  prove  the  guerdon  you  fondly  imagine." 

He  kissed  it  tenderly,  and  keeping  it  in  his,  spoke  very 
earnestly  : 

"  Only  one  thing  Odille,  I  desire  to  stipulate,  and  that 
springs  solely  from  my  jealous  love.  You  must  promise  to 
abandon  the  stage  forever.  Indeed  my  beautiful  darling, 
I  could  not  endure  to  see  my  wife,  my  own — before  the 
footlights.  In  Mrs.  Laurance,  the  world  must  lose  its  lovely 
idol." 

"  Am  I  indeed  so  precious  in  Gen.  Laurance' s  eyes  !  Will 
he  hold  me  always  such  a  dainty  sacred  treasure, — safe  from 
censure  and  aspersion  ?  Sir,  I  appreciate  the  delicate  regard 
that  prompts  this  expression  of  your  wishes,  and  with  one  slight 
exception,  I  willingly  accede  to  them.  I  have  written  a  little 
drama, — adapting  the  chief  role  to  my  own  peculiar  line  of 
talent,  and  I  desire  in  that  play,  of  my  own  composition, — to 
bid  aclieu  to  the  stage.  In  Paris,  where  illness  curtailed  my  en 
gagement,  I  wish  to  make  my  parting  bow,  and  I  trust  you  will 
not  oppose  so  innocent  a  pleasure  ?  The  marriage  ceremony 
shall  be  performed  in  the  afternoon,  and  that  night  I  propose 
to  appear  in  my  own  play.  May  I  not  hope  that  my  husband 
will  consent  to  see  me  on  my  wedding  day,  in  that  role  ?  Only 


40  6  INFELICE, 

one  night, — then  adieu  forever  to  the  glittering  bauble  !     Can 
my  fastidious  lover  refuse  the  first  boon  I  ever  ciaved  ?" 

She  turned  and  placed  her  disengaged  hand  on  his  shoulder, 
and  as  the  moonlight  shone  on  her  smiling  dangerously  beguil 
ing  face,  the  infatuated  man  laid  his  lips  upon  the  soft  white 
fingers. 

"  Could  I  refuse  you  anything, — my  beautiful  brown-eyed 
empress  ?  Only  once  more,  then  ;  promise  me  after  that  night 
to  resign  the  stage, — to  reign  solely  in  my  heart  and  home." 

"  You  have  my  promise,  and  when  I  break  my  vows,  it  will 
be  the  Laurance  example  that  I  follow.  In  your  letter  you 
stated  that  urgent  business  demanded  your  return  to  Paris, 
possibly  to  America.  Can  you  not  postpone  the  consumma 
tion  of  our  marriage  ?  " 

"  Impossible  !  How  could  I  consent  to  defer  what  I  regard 
as  the  crowning  happiness  of  my  life  ?  I  have  not  so  many 
years  in  store,  that  I  can  afford  to  waste  even  an  hour  without 
you.  When  I  leave  Europe,  I  shall  take  my  darling  with 
me." 

The  moon  was  shining  full  upon  her  face,  and  the  magnifi 
cent  eyes  looked  steadily  into  his.  There  was  no  movement 
of  nerve  or  muscle  to  betray  all  that  raged  in  her  soul,  as  she 
fought  and  conquered  the  temptation  to  spring  forward,  and 
hurl  him  over  the  parapet. 

In  the  flush  and  enthusiasm  of  his  great  happiness,  he  cer 
tainly  seemed  far  younger  in  proportion  to  their  respective 
years, — than  his  companion ;  and  as  he  softly  stroked  back  a 
wave  of  golden  hair  that  had  fallen  on  her  white  brow,  he 
leaned  until  his  still  handsome  face  was  close  to  hers,  and 
whispered  : 

"  When  may  I  claim  you  ?  Do  not  my  love,  delay  it  a  day 
longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary." 

"  To-morrow  morning  I  will  give  you  an  answer.  Then  I 
am  going  away  for  a  few  days  to  Paestum,  and  cannot  see  you 
again,  till  we  meet  in  Paris.  Recollect  I  warned  you,  I  bring 
no  heart,  ho  love  ; — both  are  lost  hopelessly  in  the  ashes  of  the 


INFELICE.  407 

past.  I  never  loved  but  one  man,— the  husband  of  my  youth, 
— the  father  of  my  baby; — and  his  loss  I  shall  mourn, — till  the 
coffin  closes  above  me.  Gen.  Laurance  you  are  running  a 
fearful  hazard, — and  the  very  marble  of  the  altar  should  find  a 
voice  to  cry  out, — and  stay  your  madness." 

She  shivered,  and  her  eyes  burned  almost  supernaturally 
large,  and  lustrous. 

Charmed  by  her  beauty  and  grace,  which  had  from  the 
beginning  of  their  acquaintance  attracted  him  more  powerfully 
than  any  other  woman  had  ever  done, — and  encouraged  by  the 
colossal  vanity  that  had  always  predominated  in  his  character, 
he  merely  laughed,  and  caressed  her  hand. 

"  Can  any  hazard  deter  me,  when  the  reward  will  be  the 
privilege,  the  right  to  fold  you  in  my  arms  ?  I  am  afraid  of 
nothing  that  can  result  from  making  you  my  wife.  Do  nor 
cloud  my  happiness  by  conjuring  up  spectres,  that  only  annoy 
you, — that  cannot  for  an  instant  influence  me.  Your  hands  are 
icy,  and  you  have  no  shawl.  Let  me  take  you  home." 

Silently  she  accepted  his  arm,  and  as  the  fringy  acacias 
trembled  and  sighed  above  her,  she  walked  by  his  side ; 
wondering  if  the  black  shadow  that  hung  like  a  pall  over  the 
distant  crest  of  Vesuvius  were  not  a  fit  symbol  of  her  own 
wretched  doomed  existence, — threatening  a  sudden  outbreak 
that  would  scatter  ruin  and  despair  where  least  expected  ? 

N earing  the  Villa  gate,  Gen.  Laurance  asked  : 

"  What  is  the  character  of  your  drama  ?     Is  it  historic  ?  " 

"  Eminently  historic." 

"In  what  era  ?  " 

"The  last  eighteen  or  twenty  years." 

"  When  may  I  read  the  MS.  ?  1  am  impatient  to  see  all 
that  springs  from  your  dear  hands." 

"  The  dramatic  effect  will  be  far  finer,  when  you  see  me  act 
it.  Pardon  me,  if  I  am  vain  enough  to  feel  assured,  that  my 
little  play  will  touch  my  husband's  heart  as  even  Racine, 
Shakespeare,  and  Euripides  never  did  !" 

There  was  a  triumphant,  exultant  ring  in  her  silvery  voice, 


4o8  INFELICE. 

that  only  charmed   her    infatuated    companion,   and   tenderly 
pressing  the  hand  that  lay  on  his  arm,  he  added  pleadingly  : 
"At  least,  my  dear  Odille,  you  will  tell  me  the  title?" 
She  shook  oil  his  fingers,  and  answered  quietly  : 
"  Gen.  Laurance,  I  call  it  merely, — Infelice." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

|OR  some  days  subsequent  to  Mrs.  Carew's  departure, 
Regina  saw  little  of  her  guardian  whose  manner  was 
unusually  preoccupied,  and  entirely  devoid  of  the 
earnest  interest  and  sympathy  he  had  displayed,  at  their  last 
interview.  Ascribing  the  change  to  regret  at  the  absence  of 
the  guest,  whose  presence  had  so  enlivened  the  house,  the  girl 
avoided  all  unnecessary  opportunities  of  meeting  him,  and  de 
voted  herself  assiduously  to  her  music  and  studies. 

The  marriage  of  a  friend  residing  in  Albany,  had  called  Olga 
thither,  and  in  the  confusion  and  hurried  preparation  incident 
to  the  journey,  she  had  found,  or  at  least  improved  no  leisure 
to  refer  to  the  subject  of  the  remarks  made  by  Mrs.  Carew  and 
Mr.  Chesley,  relative  to  Mr.  Eggleston. 

Mr.  Congreve  and  Mrs.  Palma  had  accompanied  Olga  to  the 
railroad  depot,  and  she  departed  in  unusually  high  spirits. 

Several  days  elapsed,  during  which  Mr.  Pal  ma's  abstraction 
increased,  and  by  degrees  Regina  learned  from  his  stepmother 
that  a  long  pending  suit,  involving  several  millions  of  dollars, 
was  drawing  to  a  close. 

As  counsel  for  the  plaintiff,  he  was  summing  up  and  prepar 
ing  his  final  speech.  An  entire  day  was  consumed  in  its  de 
livery,  and  on  the  following  afternoon  as  Regina  sat  at  the 
library  table,  writing  her  German  exercise,  she  heard  his  foot 
steps  ascending  with  unwonted  rapidity  the  hall  stairs.  Out- 


INFELICE.  409 

side  the  door  he  paused,  and  accosted  Mrs.  Palma  who  hastened 
to  meet  him. 

"  Madam  I  have  won." 

"  Indeed  Erie, — I  congratulate  you.  I  believe  it  involves  a 
very  large  fee  ?  " 

"Yes — twenty  thousand  dollars  ;  but  the  victory  yields  other 
fruit  quite  as  valuable  to  me.  Judges  McLemore  and  May- 
field  were  on  the  defence,  and  it  cost  me  a  very  hard  fight ; 
literally — '  Palma  non  sine  pulvere?  The  jury  deliberated  only 
twenty  minutes,  and  of  course  I  am  much  gratified." 

"  I  am  heartily  glad,  but  it  really  is  no  more  than  I  expected  ; 
for  when  did  you  ever  fail  in  anything  of  importance  ?  " 

"  Most  signally  in  one  grave  matter,  which  deeply  concerns 
me.  Despite  my  efforts,  Olga's  animosity  grows  daily  more 
intense,  and  it  annoys,  wounds  me ;  for  you  are  aware  that  I 
have  a  very  earnest  interest  in  her  welfare.  I  question  very 
much  the  propriety  of  your  course,  in  urging  this  match  upon 
her,  and  you  know  that  from  the  beginning  I  have  discouraged 
the  whole  scheme.  She  is  vastly  Congreve's  superior,  and  I 
confess  I  do  not  relish  the  idea  of  seeing  her  sacrifice  herself  so 
completely.  I  attempted  to  tell  her  so,  about  a  fortnight  since, 
but  she  stormily  forbade  my  mentioning  Congreve's  name  in 
her  presence,  and  looked  so  like  an  enraged  leopardess, — that 
I  desisted." 

"  It  will  prove  for  the  best,  I  hope  ;  and  nothing  less  binding, 
less  decisive  than  this  marriage,  will  cure  her  of  her  obstinate 
folly.  Time  will  heal  all,  and  some  day  Erie,  she  will  under 
stand  you,  and  appreciate  what  you  have  done." 

"  My  dear  Madam  I  merely  mean  that  I  desire  she  should 
regard  me  as  a  brother,  anxious  to  promote  her  true  interests  ; 
whereas — she  considers  me  her  worst  enemy.  Just  now  we 
will  adjourn  the  subject,  as  I  must  trouble  you  to  pack  my 
valise.  I  am  obliged  to  start  immediately  to  Washington,  and 
cannot  wait  for  dinner.  Will:  you  direct  Octave  to  prepare  a 
cup  of  coffee  ?  " 

"  How  long  will  you  be  absent  ?  " 
18 


4io  WFELICE. 

"  I  cannot  say  positively,  as  my  business  is  of  a  character, — 
which  may  be  transacted  in  three  hours, — or  may  detain  me  a? 
many  days.  I  must  leave  here  in  half  an  hour." 

The  door  was  open,  and  hearing  what  passed,  Regina  bent 
lower  over  her  exercise  book,  when  her  guardian  came  forward. 

Although  toil-worn  and  paler  than  usual,  his  eyes  were  full  of 
A  proud  glad  light, — that  indexed  gratification  at  his  success. 

Leaning  against  the  table,  he  said  carelessly  : 

"  I  am  going  to  Washington,  and  will  safely  deliver  any  mes 
sage  you  feel  disposed  to  send  to  your  admirer,  Mr.  Chesley." 

She  glanced  inquiringly  at  him. 

"  I  hope  you  reciprocate  his  regard,  for  he  expressed  great  in 
terest  in  your  welfare." 

"  I  liked  him  exceedingly;  better  than  any  gentleman  I  ever 
met,  except  dear  Mr.  Hargrove." 

"  A  very  comprehensive  admission, — and  eminently  flattering 
to  poor  Elliott,  and  *  Brother  '  Douglass." 

"  Mr.  Chesley  is  a  very  noble-looking  old  man,  and  seemed 
to  me  worthy  of  admiration  and  confidence.  He  did  not  im 
press  me  as  a  stranger, — but  rather  as  a  dear  friend." 

"Doubtless  I  shall  find  the  chances  all  against  me,  when  you 
are  requested  to  decide  between  us." 

A  perplexed  expression  crossed  the  face  she  raised  toward 
him. 

"  I  am  not  as  quick  as  Mrs.  Carew,  in  solving  enigmas." 

"  Apropos  !  what  do  you  think  of  my  charming,  fair  client  ?  " 

Her  heart  quickened  its  pulsations,  but  the  clear  sweet  voice 
was  quiet  and  steady. 

"  I  think  her  exceedingly  beautiful,  and  graceful." 

"  When  I  am  as  successful  in  her  suit,  as  in  the  great  case  I 
won  to-day,  I  shall  expect  you  to  offer  me  very  sincere  congrat 
ulations." 

He  smiled  pleasantly,  as  he  looked  at  her  pure  face,  which 
had  never  seemed  so  surpassingly  lovely  as  just  then, — with 
white  hyacinths  nestling  in,  and  perfuming  her  hair. 

"  I  shall  not  be  here  then  ;  but  Mr.  Paltna  wherever  I  am,  I 


TNFELICE.  4ri 

shall  always  congratulate  you  upon  whatever  conduces  to  your 
happiness." 

"  Then  I  may  consider  that  you  have  already  decided  in  favor 
of  Mr.  Chesley?" 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  do  not  quite  understand  your  jest." 

"  Pardon  me,  it  threatens  to  become  serious.  Mr.  Chesley 
is  immensely  wealthy,  and  having  no  near  relatives,  desires  to 
adopt  some  pretty,  well-bred,  affectionate-natured  girl,  who  can 
take  care  of,  and  cheer  his  old  age ;  and  to  whom  he  can  be 
queath  his  name  and  fortune.  His  covetous  eyes  have  fallen 
upon  my  ward,  and  he  seriously  contemplates  making  some 
grave  proposals  to  your  mother,  relative  to  transferring  you  to 
Washington,  and  thence  to  San  Francisco.  As  Mr.  Chesley's 
heiress,  your  future  will  be  very  brilliant, — and  I  presume  that 
in  a  voluntary  choice  of  guardians,  I  am  destined  to  lose  my 
ward." 

"Very  soon,  my  mother  will  be  my  guardian, — and  Mr. 
Chesley  is  certainly  a  gentleman  of  too  much  good  sense  and 
discretion  to  entertain  such  a  thought  relative  to  a  stranger,  of 
whom  he  knows  absolutely  nothing.  A  few  polite  kindly- 
worded  phrases,  bear  no  such  serious  interpretation." 

She  had  bent  so  persistently  over  her  book,  that  he  closed 
and  removed  it  beyond  her  reach,  forcing  her  to  regard  him ; 
for  after  the  toil,  contention,  and  brain  wrestling  of  the  court 
room,  it  was  his  reward  just  now,  to  look  into  her  deep  calm 
eyes,  and  watch  the  expressions  vary  in  her  untutored  ingenu 
ous  countenance. 

"  Men,  especially  confirmed  old  bachelors,  are  sometimes 
very  capricious  and  foolish  ;  and  my  friend  Mr.  Chesley  appears 
to  have  fallen  hopelessly  into  the  depths  of  your  eyes.  In 
vain  I  assured  him,  that  Helmholtz  has  demonstrated  that  the 
deepest  blue  eye  is  after  all, — only  a  turbid  medium.  In  his 
infatuation  he  persists  that  science  is  a  learned  bubble,  and 
that  your  eyes  are  wells  of  truth  and  inspiration.  Of  course 
you  desire  that  I  shall  present  your  affectionate  regards  to  your 
future  guardian  ?  " 


412  TNFELICE. 

"  You  can  improvise  any  message  you  deem  advisable,  but 
I  send  none." 

A  faint  color  was  stealing  into  her  cheeks,  and  the  long  lashes 
drooped  before  the  bright  black  eyes,  that  had  borne  down 
many  a  brave  face  on  the  witness  stand. 

The  clock  struck,  and  Mr.  Palm  a  compared  his  watch  with 
its  record. 

He  was  loath  to  quit  that  charming  quiet  room,  which  held 
the  fair  innocent  young  queen  of  his  love, — and  hasten  away 
upon  the  impending  journey  ;  but  it  was  important  that  he 
should  not  miss  the  railway  train,  and  he  smothered  a  sigh. 

"  This  morning  I  neglected  to  give  you  a  letter  which  arrived 
yesterday,  and  of  course  I  need  expect  no  pardon  when  you 
ascertain  that  it  is  from  'India's  coral  strand.'  If  'Brother 
Douglass'  is  as  indefatigable  in  the  discharge  of  his  missionary — 
as  his  epistolary  labors,  he  deserves  a  crown  of  numerous  con 
verts.  This  letter  was  enclosed  in  one  addressed  to  me,  and  I 
prefer  that  you  should  postpone  your  reply  until  my  return.  I 
intended  to  mention  the  matter  this  morning,  but  was  absorbed 
in  court  proceedings,  and  now  I  am  too  much  hurried." 

She  put  the  letter  into  her  pocket,  and  at  the  same  time  drew 
out  a  small  envelope  containing  the  amount  of  money  she  had 
borrowed.  Rising,  she  handed  it  to  him. 

"  Allow  me  to  cancel  my  debt." 

As  he  received  it,  their  fingers  met,  and  a  hot  flush  rushed 
over  the  lawyer's  weary  face.  He  bit  his  lip,  and  recovered 
himself  before  she  observed  his  emotion. 

"  That  alms-giving  episode  is  destined  to  yield  an  inestima 
ble  harvest  of  benefits.  But  I  must  hurry  away.  Pray  do  not 
take  passage  for  the  jungles  of  Oude,  before  I  return, — for 
whenever  you  leave  me  I  should  at  least  like  the  ceremony  of 
bidding  my  ward  adieu.  Good-by." 

She  gave  him  her  hand. 

"  Good-by  Mr.  Palma.     I  hope  you  will  have  a  pleasant  trip.'' 

As  she  stood  before  him,  the  rich  blue  of  her  soft  cashmere 
dress  rendered  her  pearly  complexion  fairer  still,  and  th  u^h 


[NFEL1CL. 


413 


keen  pain  gnawed  at  her  heart,  no  hint  of  her  suffering  marred 
the  perfection  of  her  face. 

"  Lily  where  did  you  get  those  lovely  white  hyacinths  ?  Yes 
terday  I  ordered  a  bouquet  of  them,  but  could  procure  none. 
Would  you  mind  giving  me  the  two,  that  smell  so  deliciously  in 
your  hair?  I  want  them — well — no  matter  why.  Will  you 
oblige  me  ?  " 

"  Certainly  Sir ;  but  I  have  a  handsomer  fresher  spike  of 
flowers  in  a  glass  in  my  room,  which  I  will  bring  down  to  you." 

She  turned,  but  he  detained  her. 

"  No,  these  are  sufficiently  pretty  for  my  purpose,  and  I  am 
hurried.  I  trust  I  may  be  pardoned  this  robbery  of  your  floral 
ornaments, — since  you  will  probably  see  neither  Mr.  Roscoe, 
Mr.  Chesley,  nor  yet  Padre  Sahib  this  evening." 

She  laid  the  snowy  perfumed  bells  in  his  outstretched  hand, 
and  said  : 

"  I  am  exceedingly  glad  that  even  in  such  a  trifle,  I  can  con 
tribute  to  your  pleasure,  and  I  assure  you,  that  you  are  per 
fectly  welcome  to  my  hyacinths." 

The  sweet  downcast  face,  and  slightly  wavering  voice  ap 
pealed  to  all  that  was  tender  and  loving  in  his  cold  undemon 
strative  nature,  and  he  was  strongly  tempted  to  take  her  in  his 
arms,  and  tell  her  the  truth,  which  every  day  he  found  more 
difficult  to  conceal. 

"  Thank  you.  Some  day  Lily,  I  will  tell  you  their  mission 
and  fate.  Should  I  forget, — remind  me." 

He  smiled,  bowed  and  hurried  from  the  room,  leaving  her 
sadly  perplexed. 

At  dinner  Mrs.  Palma  said : 

"  I  have  promised  to  chaperone  the  Bruce  sisters  to-night  to 
the  opera,  and  shall  take  tea  at  their  house.  Were  I  sure  of  a 
seat  for  you,  I  should  insist  upon  taking  you,  for  I  dislike  to 
leave  you  so  much  alone ;  but  the  box  might  be  full,  and  then 
things  would  be  awkward." 

"  You  need  have  no  concern  on  my  account,  for  I  have  my 
books,  and  am  accustomed  to  being  alone.  Moreover  T  am 


|T4  INFELICE. 

not  particularly  partial  to  the  music  of  «  Martha'  which  will  be 
played  to-night." 

"  Did  your  guardian  tell  you  he  has  just  won  that  great 
1  Migdol '  case,  that  created  so  much  interest  ?  " 

"  He  mentioned  it.  Mrs.  Palma  I  thought  he  looked  weary 
and  jaded;  as  if  he  needed  rest,  rather  than  a  journey." 

"  Erie  is  never  weary.  His  nerves  are  steel,  and  he  will 
speedily  forget  his  court-house  cares  in  Mrs.  Carew's  charming 
conversation." 

"  But  she  is  not  in  Washington  ?  " 

"  She  told  me  yesterday  she  would  go  there  this  afternoon, 
and  showed  me  the  most  superb  maize-colored  satin  just  re 
ceived  from  Worth, — which  she  intends  wearing  to-morrow  even 
ing  at  the  French  Ambassador's  ball,  or  reception.  You  know 
she  is  very  fascinating,  and  though  Erie  thinks  little  about 
women,  I  really  believe  she  will  succeed  in  driving  law  books, 
for  a  little  while  at  least,  out  of  his  cool  clear  head.  My  dear 
I  am  going  to  write  a  short  note.  Will  you  please  direct  Hattie 
to  bring  my  opera  hat,  cloak  and  glasses  ?  " 

With  inexpressible  relief,  Regina  heard  the  heavy  silk  rustle 
across  the  hall,  when  she  took  her  departure,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
assurance  that  there  was  no  one  to  intrude  upon  her  solitude. 

How  she  wished  that  she  could  fly  to  some  desert,  where 
undiscovered  she  might  cry  aloud,  in  the  great  agony  that  pos 
sessed  her  heart. 

The  thought  that  her  guardian  had  hastened  away  to  accom 
pany  that  gray-eyed,  golden-haired-witch  of  a  woman  to  Wash 
ington,  was  intolerably  bitter ;  and  as  she  contemplated  the 
possibility,  nay  the  probability  of  his  speedy  marriage,  a  wild 
longing  seized  her  to  make  her  escape,  and  avoid  the  sight  01 
such  a  spectacle. 

When  she  recalled  his  proud,  handsome,  composed  face,  and 
tried  to  imagine  him  the  husband  of  Mrs.  Carew,  bending  over, 
caressing  her, — the  girl  threw  her  arms  on  his  writing  desk,  and 
sunk  her  face  upon  them,  as  if  to  shut  out  the  torturing  vision. 

She  knew  that  he  was  singularly  reserved  and  undemonstra- 


INFELICE. 


415 


tive  ;  she  had  never  seen  him  fondle  or  caress  anything,  and 
the  bare  thought  that  his  stern  marble  lips  would  some  day 
seek  and  press  that  woman's  scarlet  mouth,  made  her  shiver 
with  a  pang  that  was  almost  maddening. 

How  cruelly  mocking  that  he  should  take  her  favorite  snowy 
hyacinths,  to  offer  them  to  Mrs.  Carew !  Did  his  keen  insight 
penetrate  the  folly  she  had  suffered  to  grow  up  in  her  own  heart, 
and  had  he  coolly  resorted  to  this  method  of  teaching  her  its 
hopelessness  ? 

If  she  could  leave  New  York  before  his  return,  and  never 
see  him  again, — would  it  not  be  best  ?  His  eyes  were  so  pierc 
ing, — he  was  so  accustomed  to  reading  people's  emotions  in 
their  countenance, — and  she  felt  that  she  could  not  survive  his 
discovery  of  her  secret. 

What  did  his  irony  relative  to  India,  portend  ?  Hitherto,  she 
had  quite  forgotten  the  letter  from  Mr.  Lindsay,  and  now  break 
ing  the  seal,  sought  an  explanation. 

A  few  faded  flowers  fell  out  as  she  unfolded  it,  and  ere  she 
completed  the  perusal,  a  cry  escaped  her.  Mr.  Lindsay  wrote 
that  his  health  had  suffered  so  severely  from  the  climate  of 
India,  that  he  had  been  compelled  to  surrender  his  missionary 
work  to  stronger  hands,  and  would  return  to  his  native  land. 
He  believed  that  rest  and  America  would  restore  him,  and  now 
he  fully  declared  the  nature  of  his  affection,  and  the  happiness 
with  which  he  anticipated  his  reunion  with  her  ;  reminding  her 
of  her  farewell  promise,  that  none  should  have  his  place  in  her 
heart.  More  than  once,  she  read  the  closing  words  of  that 
long  letter. 

"  I  had  intended  deferring  this  declaration  until  you  were 
eighteen,  and  restored  to  your  mother's  care  ;  but  my  unex 
pectedly  early  return,  and  the  assurance  contained  in  your  let 
ters,  that  your  love  has  in  no  degree  diminished,  determines  me 
to  acquaint  you  at  once,  with  the  precious  hope  that  so  glad 
dens  the  thought  of  our  approaching  reunion.  While  your  de 
cision  must  of  course  be  subject  to,  and  dependent  on  your 


4i  6  2NFELICE. 

mother's  approval,  I  wish  you  to  consult  only  the  dictates  of 
your  heart ;  believing  that  all  my  future  must  be  either  bright 
ened,  or  clouded  by  your  verdict.  Open  the  package  given  to 
you  in  our  last  interview,  and  if  you  have  faithfully  kept  your 
promise,  let  me  see  upon  your  hand  the  ring,  which  I  shall  re 
gard  as  the  pledge  of  our  betrothal.  Whether  I  live  many  or 
few  years,  God  grant  that  your  love  may  glorify  and  sanctify  my 
earthly  sojourn.  In  life  or  death,  my  darling  Regina  believe 
me  always, — 

"  Your  devoted 

DOUGLASS." 

Below  the  signature,  and  dated  a  week  later,  were  several 
lines  in  Mrs.  Lindsay's  handwriting,  informing  her  that  her  son 
had  again  been  quite  ill,  but  was  improving ;  and  that  within 
the  ensuing  ten  days,  they  expected  to  sail  for  Japan,  and  thence 
to  San  Francisco,  where  Mrs.  Lindsay's  only  sister  resided.  In 
conclusion  she  earnestly  appealed  to  Regina,  as  the  daughter 
of  her  adoption,  not  to  extinguish  the  hope,  that  formed  so 
powerful  an  element  in  the  recovery  of  her  son  Douglass. 

Was  it  the  mercy  of  God,  or  the  grim  decree  of  fatalism,  or 
the  merest  accident  that  provided  this  door  of  escape,  when  she 
was  growing  desperate  ? 

Numb  with  heart-ache,  and  strangely  bewildered,  Regina 
could  recognize  it  only  as  a  providential  harbor,  into  which  she 
could  safelv  retreat  from  the  storm  of  suffering  that  was  begin 
ning  to  roar  around  her.  Recalling  the  peaceful  happy  years 
spent  at  the  Parsonage,  and  the  noble  character  of  the  man 
who  loved  her  so  devotedly,  who  had  so  tenderly  cared  for  her 
through  the  season  of  her  childhood, — a  gush  of  grateful  emo 
tion  pleaded  that  she  owed  him  all,  that  he  now  asked. 

When  she  contrasted  the  image  of  the  pale  student,  so  affec 
tionate,  so  unselfishly  considerate  in  all  things, — with  the  com 
manding  figure  and  cold,  guarded,  non-committal  face  of  Mr. 
Palma, — she  shivered  and  groaned  ;  but  the  comparison  only 
goaded  her  to  find  safety  in  the  sheltering  love,  that  must  at 
least  give  her  peace 


INF E  LICE.  417 

If  she  were  Douglass  Lindsay's  wife,  would  she  not  find  it 
far  easier  to  forget  her  guardian  ?  Would  it  be  sinful  to  promise 
her  hand  to  one,  while  her  heart  stubbornly  enshrined  the  other  ? 
She  loved  Mr.  Lindsay  very  much  ; — he  seemed  holy,  in  his 
supremely  unselfish  and  deeply  religious  life, — and  after  awhile 
perhaps  other  feelings  would  grow  up  toward  him  ? 

In  re-reading  the  letter,  she  saw  that  Mr.  Lindsay  had  in 
formed  Mr.  Palma  of  the  proposal,  which  it  contained ;  as  he 
deemed  it  due  to  her  guardian,  to  acquaint  him  with  the  senti 
ments  they  entertained  for  each  other. 

Should  she  reject  the  priestly  hand,  and  loyal  heart  of  the 
young  missionary,  would  not  Mr.  Palma  suspect  the  truth  ? 

She  realized  that  the  love  in  her  heart,  was  of  that  deep  ex 
haustive  nature  which  comes  but  once  to  women,  and  since 
she  must  bury  it  forever,  was  it  not  right  that  she  should 
dedicate  her  life  to  promoting  Mr.  Lindsay's  happiness? 
Next  to  her  mother,  did  she  not  owe  him  more  than  any  other 
human  being  ? 

As  she  sat  leaning  upon  Mr.  Palma' s  desk,  she  saw  his 
handkerchief  near  the  inkstand,  where  he  had  dropped  it  early 
that  morning ;  and  taking  it  up,  she  drew  it  caressingly,  across 
her  cheek  and  lips.  Everything  in  this  room,  where  since  her 
residence  in  New  York,  she  had  been  accustomed  to  see  him, 
grew  sacred  from  association  with  him,  and  all  that  he  touched 
was  strangely  dear. 

For  two  hours  she  sat  there,  very  quiet,  weighing  the  past, 
considering  the  future  ;  and  at  last,  she  slowly  resolved  upon 
her  course. 

She  would  write  that  night  to  her  mother,  enclose  Mr. 
Lindsay's  letter,  and  if  her  mother's  permission  could  be  ob 
tained, — she  would  give  her  hand  to  Douglass,  and  in  his  love 
forget  the  brief  madness  that  now  made  her  so  wretched. 

From  the  date  of  the  postscript,  she  discovered  that  the  letter 
had  been  delayed  en  route,  and  computing  the  time  from  Yoko 
hama  to  San  Francisco, — according  to  information  given  by 
Mr.  Chesley, — she  found  that  unless  some  unusual  detention 
18* 


41 8  INF  ELI  CR. 

had   occurred,  the  vessel  in  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.   Lindsay  in 
tended  to  sail,  should  have  already  reached  California. 

Mr.  Palma's  jest  relative  to  India,  was  explained;  and  evi 
dently,  he  had  not  sufficient  interest  in  her  decision  even  to  pause 
and  ask  it.  Knowing  the  contents,  he  had  with  cold  indifference 
carried  the  letter  for  two  days  in  his  pocket,  and  handed  it  to 
her  just  as  he  was  departing. 

She  imagined  him  sitting  in  the  car,  beside  Mrs.  Carew, — - 
admiring  her  beauty, — perhaps  uttering  in  her  ear  tender  vows, 
never  breathed  by  his  lips  to  any  other  person  ; — while  she — the 
waif,  the  fatherless,  nameless,  obscure  young  girl  sat  there  alone, 
desperately  fighting  the  battle  of  destiny. 

Bitter  as  was  this  suggestion  of  her  aching  heart,  it  brought 
strength  ;  and  rising,  she  laid  aside  the  handkerchief,  and  quitted 
the  apartment  that  babbled  ceaselessly  of  its  absent  master. 

Among  some  precious  souvenirs  of  her  mother,  she  kept  the 
package,  which  had  been  given  to  her  by  Mr.  Lindsay  with  the 
request  that  it  should  remain  unopened  until  her  eighteenth 
birthday ;  and  now  she  unlocked  the  small  ebony  box  that  con 
tained  her  few  treasures. 

The  parcel  was  sealed  with  red  wax,  and  when  she  removed 
the  enveloping  pasteboard,  she  found  a  heavy  gold  ring,  bear 
ing  a  large  beautifully  tinted  opal,  surrounded  with  small  dia 
monds.  On  the  inside  was  engraved  "  Douglass  and  Regina," 
with  the  date  of  the  day  on  which  he  had  left  the  Parsonage  for 
India. 

Kneeling  beside  her  bed,  she  prayed  that  God  would  help 
her  to  do  right,  would  guide  her  into  the  proper  path, — would 
enable  "her  to  do  her  duty,  first  to  her  mother,  then  to  Mr. 
Lindsay. 

When  she  rose,  the  ring  shone  on  her  left  hand,  and  though 
her  face  was  worn  and  pallid,  her  mournful  eyes  were  undim- 
med,  and  she  sat  down  to  write  her  mother  frankly  concerning 
the  feelings  of  intense  gratitude,  and  perfect  confidence  which 
prompted  her  to  accept  Mr.  Lindsay's  offer, — provided  Mrs. 
Orme  consented  to  the  betrothal. 


INFELICE.  4!9 

Ere  she  had  concluded  the  task,  her  attention  was  attracted 
by  a  noise  on  the  stairs  that  were  situated  near  her  door. 

It  was  rather  too  early  for  Mrs.  Palma's  return  from  the  opera, 
and  the  servants  were  all  in  a  different  portion  of  the  building. 

Regina  laid  down  her  pen,  and  listened.  Slow  heavy  foot 
steps  were  ascending,  and  recognizing  nothing  familiar  in  the 
sound,  she  walked  quickly  to  the  door  which  stood  ajar,  and 
looked  out. 

A  tall  woman  wrapped  in  a  heavy  shawl,  had  reached 
the  landing,  and  as  the  gaslight  fell  upon  her,  Regina  started 
forward. 

"  Olga !  we  did  not  expect  you  until  to-morrow, — but  you 
are  disguised  !  Oh  !  what  is  the  matter  ?  " 

Wan  and  haggard, — apparently  ten  years  older  than  when 
she  ran  down  those  steps  a  week  previous, — departing  for 
Albany, — Olga  stood  clinging  to  the  mahogany  rail  of  the 
balustrade.  Her  large  straw  bonnet  had  fallen  back,  the  heavy 
hair  was  slipping  low  on  neck  and  brow,  and  her  sunken  eyes 
had  a  dreary  stare. 

"Are  you  ill?  What  has  happened?  Dear  Olga  speak  to 
me." 

She  threw  her  arms  around  the  regal  figure,  and  felt  that  she 
was  shivering  from  head  to  foot. 

As  she  became  aware  of  the  close  clinging  embrace  in  which 
Regina  held  her,  a  ghastly  smile  parted  Olga's  colorless  lips, 
and  she  said  in  a  husky  whisper  : 

"  Is  it  you  ?  True  little  heart ; — the  only  one  left,  in  all  the 
world." 

After  a  few  seconds,  she  added  : 

"  Where  is  mamma  ?  " 

"  At  the  opera." 

"  To  see  Beelzebub  ?  All  the  world  is  singing  and  playing 
that  now, — and  you  may  be  sure  that  you  and  I  shall  be  in  at 
the  final  chorus.  Regina" 

She  swept  her  hand  feebly  over  her  forehead,  and  seemed  to 
forget  herself. 


420 


IN FF.  LICE. 


Then  she  rallied,  and  a  sudden  spark  glowed  in  her  dull 
eyes,  as  when  a  gust  stirs  an  ash  heap,  and  uncovers  a  dying 
ember. 

"Erie  Palma?" 

"  Has  gone  to  Washington." 

'•May  he  never  come  back!  Oh  God!  a  hundred  deaths* 
would  not  satisfy  me  !  A  hundred  graves  were  not  sufficient  to 
hide  him  from  my  sight !  " 

She  groaned  and  clasped  her  hand  across  her  eyes. 

"  What  dreadful  thing  has  occurred  ?  Tell  me, — you  know 
that  you  can  trust  me." 

"  Trust !  no,  no ;  not  even  the  Archangels  that  fan  the 
throne  of  God.  I  have  done  with  trust.  Take  me  in  your 
room,  a  little  while.  Hide  me  from  Mamma  until  to-morrow  ; 
then  it  will  make  no  difference  who  sees  me." 

Regina  led  her  to  the  low  rocking-chair  in  her  own  room, 
and  took  off  the  common  shawl  and  bonnet,  which  she  had 
used  as  a  disguise  ;  then  seized  her  cold  nerveless  hand. 

"Do  tell  me  your  great  sorrow." 

"Something  rare  nowaday.  I  had  a  heart,  a  live  warm  lov 
ing  heart,— and  it  is  broken  ; — dead, — utterly  dead.  Regina  I 
was  so  happy  yesterday.  Oh !  I  stood  at  the  very  gate  of 
heaven, — so  close  that  all  the  glory  and  the  sweetness  blew 
upon  me, — like  June  breezes  over  a  rose  hedge  ; — and  the 
angels  seemed  to  beckon  me  in.  I  went  to  meet  Belmont, — 
to  join  him  forever,  to  turn  my  back  on  the  world, — and  as  his 

wife  pass  into  the  Eden  of  his  love  and  presence 

Now,  another  gate  yawns,  and  the  fiends  call  me  to  come 
down, — and  if  there  really  be  a  hell, — why  then  " 

For  nearly  a  moment  she  remained  silent. 

"  Olga  is  he  ill  ?     Is  he  dead  ?  " 

A  cry  as  of  one,  indeed  broken-hearted  came  from  her  quiver 
ing  lips,  and  she  clasped  her  arms  over  her  head. 

"  Oh  !  if  he  were  indeed  dead  !  If  I  could  have  seen  him 
ind  kissed  him  in  his  coffin  !  And  known  that  he  was  still 
mine,  all  mine  even  in  the  grave  " 


INFELICE. 


421 


Her  head  sank  upon  her  bosom,  and  after  a  brief  pause  she 
resumed  in  an  unnaturally  calm  voice. 

"  My  world  so  lovely  yesterday, — has  gone  to  pieces ;  and  for 
me, — life  is  a  black  crumbling  ruin.  I  hung  all  my  hopes,  my 
prayers,  my  fondest  dreams  on  one  shining  silver  thread  of 
trust, — and  it  snapped, — and  all  fall  together.  We  ask  for  fish, 
and  are  stung  by  scorpions ; — we  pray  for  bread, — only  bare 
bread  for  famishing  hearts, — and  we  are  stoned.  Ah  !  it  appears 
only  a  hideous  dream ;  but  I  know  it  is  awfully,  horribly  true." 

"What  is  true  ?     Don't  keep  me  in  suspense." 

Olga  bent  fonvard,  put  her  large  hands  on  Regina's  shoulders 
as  the  latter  knelt  in  front  of  her,  and  answered  drearily  : 

"  He  is  married." 

"Not  Mr.  Eggleston?" 

"Yes — my  Belmont.  For  so  many  years  he  has  been  en 
tirely  mine,  and  oh  !  how  I  loved  him  !  Now  he  is  that  woman's 
husband.  Bought  with  her  gold.  I  intended  to  run  away  and 
marry  him ;  go  with  him  to  Europe,  where  I  should  never  see 
Erie  Palma's  cold  devilish  black  eyes  again.  Where  in  some 
humble  little  home  hid  among  the  mountains, — I  could  be 
happy  with  my  darling.  I  sold  my  jewelry,  even  my  richest 
clothing,  that  I  might  have  a  little  money  to  defray  expenses. 
Then  I  wrote  Belmont  of  my  plans,  told  him  I  had  forsaken  every 
thing  for  him,  and  appointed  a  place  in  this  city,  where  we  could 
meet.  I  hastened  down  from  Albany,  disguised  myself  and  went 
to  the  place  of  rendezvous.  After  waiting  a  long  time,  his  cousin 
came  ;  brought  me  a  letter, — showed  me  the  marriage  notice. 
Only  two  days  ago  they, — Belmont  and  that  woman  were  mar- 
nec^ — and  they  sailed  for  Europe  at  noon  to-day,  in  the  steamer 
upon  which  I  had  expected  to  go  as  a  bride.  He  wrote  that  with 
failing  health, — penury  staring  him  in  the  face, — and  despairing 
at  last  of  being  able  to  win  me,  he  had  grown  reckless,  and 
sold  himself  to  that  wealthy  widow,  who  had  long  loved  him, 
and  who  would  provide  generously  for  his  helpless  mother. 

He  said  he  dared  not  trust  himself  to  see  me  again .  And 

so,  allis  over  forever." 


422  INF E LICE. 

She  dropped  her  head  on  her  clenched  hands,  and  shuddered. 

"  Dear  Olga  he  was  not  worthy  of  you,  or  he  would  never 
have  deserted  you.  If  he  truly  loved  you,  he  never  could  have 
married  another,  for" 

She  paused,  for  the  shimmer  of  the  diamonds  on  her  hand 
accused  her.  Was  she  not  contemplating  similar  treachery? 
Loving  one  man,  how  dare  she  entertain  the  thought  of  listen 
ing  to  another's  suit.  She  was  deeply  and  sincerely  attached 
to  Douglass,  she  reverenced  him  more  than  any  living  being ; 
but  she  knew  that  it  was  not  the  same  feeling  her  heart  had 
declared  for  her  guardian,  and  she  felt  condemned  by  her  own 
words. 

Olga  made  an  impatient  motion,  and  answered : 

"  Hush — not  a  word  against  him  ;  none  shall  dishonor  him. 
He  was  maddened, — desperate.  My  poor  darling  !  Erie  Palma 
and  mamma  were  too  much  for  us,  but  we  shall  conquer  at  last. 
Belmont  will  not  live  many  months  ;  he  had  a  hemorrhage  from 
his  lungs  last  week,  and  in  a  little  while,  we  shall  be  united. 
He  will  not  long  wait  to  join  me." 

She  leaned  back  and  smiled  triumphantly, — and  Regina 
became  uneasy  as  she  noted  the  unnatural  expression  of  her 
eyes. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Olga  ?  You  make  me  unhappy,  and 
I  am  afraid  you  are  ill." 

"  No  dear — but  I  am  tired.  So  tired  of  everything  in 
this  hollow,  heartless,  shameful  world,  and  I  want  to  lie  down 
and  rest.  For  eight  years  nearly,  I  have  leaned  on  one  hope 
for  comfort ;  now  it  has  crumbled  under  me,  and  I  have  no 
strength.  Will  you  let  me  sleep  here  with  you  to-night  ?  I 
will  not  keep  you  awake." 

"  Let  me  help  you  to  undress.  You  know  I  shall  be  glad  to 
have  you  here." 

Regina  unbuttoned  her  shoes,  and  began  to  draw  them  off, 
while  Olga  mechanically  took  down  and  twisted  her  weighty 
hair.  Once  she  put  her  hand  on  her  pocket,  and  her  eyes 
glittered. 


f.\r FELICE.  42- 

"  I  want  a  glass  of  wine,  or  anything  that  will  quiet  me. 
Please  go  down  to  the  dining,  room,  and  get  me  something  to 
put  me  to  sleep.  My  head  feels  as  if  it  were  on  fire." 

The  tone  was  so  unusually  coaxing,  that  Regina' s  suspicions 
were  aroused. 

"  I  don't  know  where  to  find  the  key  of  the  wine  closet." 

"Then  wake  Octave,  and  tell  him  to  give  you  some  wine. 
He  keeps  port  and  madeira  for  soups  and  sauces.  You  must. 
I  would  do  as  much  for  you.  I  will  go  to  Octave." 

She  attempted  to  rise,  but  Regina  feigned  acquiescence,  and 
left  the  room,  closing  the  door,  but  leaving  a  crevice.  Outside, 
she  knelt  down  and  peeped  through  the  key-hole. 

Alarmed  by  the  unnatural  expression  of  the  fiery  hazel  eyes, 
a  horrible  dread  overshadowed  her,  and  she  trembled  from 
head  to  foot. 

While  she  watched,  Olga  rose,  turned  her  head  and  listened 
intently ;  then  drew  something  from  her  pocket,  and  Regina 
saw  that  it  was  a  glass  vial. 

"  I  win  at  last.  To-morrow,  mamma  and  her  stepson  will 
not  exult  over  their  victory.  If  I  have  an  immortal  soul, — 
may  God — my  Maker  and  Judge, — have  mercy  upon  me  !  " 

She  drew  out  the  cork  with  her  teeth,  turned,  and  as  she 
lifted  the  vial  to  her  lips,  Regina  ran  in  and  seized  her  arm. 

"  Olga  you  are  mad  !     Would  you  murder  yourself?  " 

They  grappled  ;  Olga  was  much  taller  and  now  desperately 
strong,  but  luckily  Regina  had  her  fingers  also  on  the  glass, 
and  dragging  down  the  hand  that  clenched  it,  the  vial  was  in 
verted,  and  a  portion  of  the  contents  fell  upon  the  carpet.  . 

Feeling  the  liquid  run  through  her  fingers,  Olga  uttered 
a  cry  of  baffled  rage  and  despair,  and  struck  the  girl  a  heavy 
blow  in  the  face,  that  made  her  stagger  ;  but  almost  frantic  with 
terror  Regina  improved  the  opportunity  afforded  by  the  with 
drawal  of  one  of  the  large  hands,  to  tighten  her  own  grasp,  and 
in  the  renewed  struggle  succeeded  in  wrenching  away  the  vial. 
The  next  instant,  she  hurled  it  against  the  marble  mantle  piece, 
and  saw  it  splintered  into  numberless  fragments. 


424 


INFELICE. 


As  the  wretched  woman  watched  the  fluid  oozing  over  the 
hearth,  she  cried  out, — and  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"Dear  Olga,  you  are  delirious,  and  don't  know  what  you  are 
doing.  Go  to  bed,  and  when  you  lie  down,  I  will  get  the  wine 
for  you.  Please  dear  Olga !  You  wring  my  heart." 

"  Oh  you  call  yourself  my  friend- — and  you  have  been  most 
cruel  of  all !  You  kept  me  from  going  to  a  rest,  that  would 
have  no  dreams, — and  no  waking, — and  no  to-morrow.  Do 
you  think  I  will  live  and  let  them  taunt  me  with  my  folly,  my 
failure  ?  Let  that  iron  fiend  show  his  white  teeth,  and  triumph 
over  me  ?  People  will  know  I  sold  my  clothes,  and  tried  to 
run  away,  and  was — forsaken.  Oh  !  if  you  had  only  let  me 
alone  !  I  should  very  soon  have  been  so  quiet ;  out  of  even 
Erie  Palrna's  way  !  Now" 

She  gave  utterance  to  a  low  distressing  wail,  and  rocked  her 
self,  murmuring  some  incoherent  words. 

"  Olga  your  mother  has  come,  and  unless  you  wish  her  to 
hear  you,  and  come  in,  do  try  to  compose  yourself." 

Shuddering  at  the  mention  of  her  mother,  she  grew  silent, 
moody,  and  suffered  Regina  to  undress  her.  After  a  long 
while,  during  which  she  appeared  absolutely  deaf  to  all  appeals, 
she  rose,  smiled  strangely,  and  threw  herself  across  the  bed ; 
but  the  eyes  were  beginning  to  sparkle,  and  now  and  then  she 
laughed  almost  hysterically. 

When  an  hour  had  passed,  and  no  sound  came  from  the 
prostrate  figure,  Regina  leaned  over  to  look  at  her,  and  dis 
covered  that  she  was  whispering  rapidly,  some  unintelligible 
words. 

Once  she  started  up,  exclaiming  : 

"  Don't  have  such  a  hot  fire  !     My  head  is  scorching." 

Regina  watched  her  anxiously,  softly  stroking  one  of  her 
hands,  trying  to  soothe  her  to  sleep;  but.  after  two  o'clock, 
when  she  grew  more  restless,  and  incoherent  in  her  muttering, 
the  young  nurse  felt  assured  she  was  sinking  into  delirium,  and 
decided  to  consult  Mrs.  Palma. 

Concealing  the  shawl  and  bonnet,  and  gathering  up  the  most 


INFELICE.  425 

conspicuous  fragments  of  glass  on  the  hearth,  she  put  them  out 
of  sight,  and  hurried  to  Mrs.  Palma's  room. 

She  was  astonished  to  find  her  still  awake,  sitting  before  a 
table,  and  holding  a  note  in  her  hand. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Regina  ?  " 

"  Olga  has  come  home,  and  I  fear  she  is  very  ill.  Certainly 
she  is  delirious." 

"  Oh  !  then  she  has  heard  it  already  !  She  must  have  seen 
the  paper.  I  knew  nothing  of  it  until  to-night,  when  Erie's 
hasty  note  from  Philadelphia  reached  me,  after  I  left  the  opera. 
I  dreaded  the  effect  upon  my  poor,  unfortunate  child.  Where 
is  she  ?  " 

"  In  my  room." 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

JURING  the  protracted  illness  that  ensued,  Olga  tempo 
rarily  lost  the  pressure  of  the  burden  she  had  borne  for 
so  many  years,  and  entered  into  that  Eden  which  her 
imagination  had  painted,  ere  the  sudden  crash  and  demolition 
of  her  Chateaux  en  Espagne.  Her  delirium  was  never  violent 
and  raving,  but  took  the  subdued  form  of  a  beatified  existence. 
In  a  low  voice,  that  was  almost  a  whisper,  she  babbled  cease 
lessly  of  her  supreme  satisfaction  in  gaining  the  goal  of  all  her 
hopes,  and  dwelt  upon  the  beauty  of  her  chalet  home,  the  tink 
ling  music  of  the  bells  on  distant  heights  where  cattle  browsed, 
— the  leaping  of  mountain  torrents  just  beyond  her  window, — 
the  cooing  of  the  pigeons  upon  the  tall  peaked  roof, — the  breath 
of  mignonette  and  violets  stealing  through  the  open  door. 
When  pounded  ice  was  laid  upon  her  head,  an  avalanche  was 
sliding  down,  and  the  snow  saluted  her  in  passing ;  and  when 
the  physician  ordered  more  light  admitted  that  he  might  ex 
amine  the  unnaturally  glowing  eyes,  she  complained  that  the  sun 


426  INFELICE. 

was  setting  upon  a  glacier  and  the  blaze  blinded  her.  Now  she 
sat  on  a  mossy  knoll  beside  Belmont,  reading  aloud  Buchanan's 
'•Pan,"  and  "The  Siren,"  while  he  sketched  the  ghyll ;  and 
anon  she  paused  in  her  recitation  of  favorite  passages,  to  watch 
the  colors  deepen  on  the  canvas. 

From  the  beginning  Dr.  Suydam  had  pronounced  the  case 
peculiarly  difficult  and  dangerous,  and  as  the  days  wore  on, 
bringing  no  abatement  of  cerebral  excitement,  he  expressed  the 
opinion  that  some  terrible  shock  had  produced  the  aberration 
that  baffled  his  skill,  and  threatened  to  permanently  disorder  her 
faculties. 

Jealously  Regina  concealed  all  that  had  occurred  on  the 
evening  of  her  return,  and  though  Mrs.  Palma  briefly  referred  to 
her  daughter's  unfortunate  attachment  to  an  unworthy  man, 
whose  marriage  had  painfully  startled  her,  she  remained  un 
aware  of  the  revelations  made  by  Olga.  Although  she  evinced 
no  recognition  of  those  about  her,  the  latter  shrank  from  all 
save  Regina,  whose  tender  ministrations  were  peculiarly  sooth 
ing  ;  and  clinging  to  the  girl's  hand,  she  would  smilingly  talk  of 
the  peace  and  happiness  reaped  at  last,  by  her  marriage  with 
BeLmont  Eggleston,  and  enjoin  upon  her  the  necessity  of  pre 
serving  from  "  Mamma  and  Erie  Palma,"  the  secret  of  her 
secluded  little  cottage  home. 

On  the  fourth  night,  Mrs.  Palma  was  so  prostrated  by  grief 
and  watching,  that  she  succumbed  to  a  violent  nervous  head 
ache,  and  was  ordered  out  of  the  room  by  the  physician,  who 
requested  that  Regina  might  for  a  few  hours,  be  entrusted  with 
the  care  of  his  patient. 

"  But  if  anything  should  happen  ?  And  Regina  is  so  inex 
perienced  ? "  sobbed  the  unhappy  mother,  bending  over  her 
child,  who  was  laughing  at  the  gambols  of  some  young  chamois, 
which  delirium  painted  on  the  wall. 

"  Miss  Orme  will  at  least  obey  my  orders.  She  is  watchful 
and  possesses  unusual  self-control,  which  you  my  dear  madam, 
utterly  lack  in  a  sick-room.  Beside  Olga  yields  more  readily  to 
her,  than  to  any  one  else,  and  I  prefer  that  Miss  Orme  should 


INFELICE.  427 

have  the  care  of  her.  Go  to  bed  madam,  and  1  will  send  you 
an  anodyne  that  will  compose  you." 

"  If  any  change  occurs,  you  will  call  me  instantly  ?  " 

"You  may  rest  assured,  I  shall." 

Mrs.  Palma  leaned  over  her  daughter,  and  as  her  tears  fell 
on  the  burning  face  of  the  sufferer,  the  latter  put  up  her  hands, 
and  said  : 

"  Belmont  it  is  raining,  and  your  picture  will  be  ruined,  and 
then  mamma  will  ridicule  your  failure.  Cover  it  quick." 

"  Olga  my  darling,  kiss  mamma  good-night." 

But  she  was  busy  trying  to  shield  the  imaginary  painting  with 
one  of  the  pillows,  and  began  in  a  quavering  voice  to  sing  Long 
fellow's  "  Rainy  Day."  Her  mother  pressed  her  lips  to  the  hot 
cheek,  but  she  seemed  unconscious  of  the  caress,  and  weeping 
bitterly  Mrs.  Palma  left  the  room.  As  she  passed  into  the  hall, 
a  cry  escaped  her,  and  the  broken  words  : 

"  Oh  Erie  I  thought  you  would  never  come  !  My  poor  child  ! " 

Dr.  Suydam  closed  the  door,  and  drawing  Regina  to  the 
window,  proceeded  to  question  her  closely,  and  to  instruct  her 
concerning  the  course  of  treatment  he  desired  to  pursue. 
Should  Olga's  pulse  sink  to  a  certain  stage,  specified  doses 
must  be  given  ;  and  in  a  possible  condition  of  the  patient,  he 
must  be  instantly  notified. 

"  I  am  glad  to  find  Mr.  Palma  has  returned.  Though  he 
knows  no  more  than  a  judge's  gavel  of  what  is  needful  in  a 
sick-room,  he  will  be  a  support  and  comfort  to  all,  and  his  nerves 
never  flag,  never  waver.  Keep  a  written  record  of  Olga's  con 
dition  at  the  hours  I  have  specified,  and  shut  her  mother  out  of 
the  room  as  much  as  possible.  I  will  try  to  put  her  to  sleep  for 
the  next  twelve  hours,  and  by  that  time,  we  shall  know  the  re 
sult.  Good-night." 

Olga  had  violently  opposed  the  removal  from  Regina's  room, 
and  in  accordance  with  her  wishes,  she  had  remained  where 
her  weary  whirling  brain  first  rested,  on  the  night  of  her  return. 
Arranging  the  medicine  and  glasses,  and  turning  down  the 
light,  Regina  put  on  her  pale  blue  dressing-gown  girded  at  the 


428  INFELICE. 

waist  by  a  cord  and  tassel,  and  loosely  twisted  and  fastened  her 
hair  in  a  large  coil  low  on  her  head  and  neck.  She  had  slept 
none  since  Olga  came  home,  and  anxiety  and  fatigue  had  left 
unmistakable  traces  on  her  pale,  sad  face.  The  letter  to  her 
mother  had  been  finished  and  signed,  but  still  lay  in  the  drawei 
of  her  portable  writing  desk,  awaiting  envelope  and  stamp  ; 
and  so  oppressed  had  she  been  by  sympathy  with  Olga's  great 
suffering,  that  for  a  time  her  own  grief  was  forgotten,  or  at  least 
put  aside. 

The  announcement  of  Mr.  Palma's  return,  vividly  recalled  all 
that  beclouded  her  future,  and  she  began  to  dread  the  morrow 
that  would  subject  her  to  his  merciless  bright  eyes,  feeling  that 
his  presence  was  dangerous.  Perhaps  by  careful  manoeuvring 
she  might  screen  herself  in  the  sick-room  for  several  days,  and 
thus  avoid  the  chance  of  an  interview,  which  must  result  in  an 
inquiry  concerning  her  answer  to  Mr.  Lindsay's  letter.  Fear 
ful  of  her  own  treacherous  heart,  she  was  unwilling  to  discuss 
her  decision,  until  assured  she  had  grown  calm  and  firm,  from 
continued  contemplation  of  her  future  lot-;  moreover  her  guar 
dian  would  probably  return  from  Washington  an  accepted  lover, 
and  she  shrank  from  the  spectacle  of  his  happiness, — as  from 
glowing  ploughshares — lying  scarlet  in  her  pathway.  In  this 
room  she  would  ensconce  herself,  and  should  he  send  for  her, 
various  excuses  might  be  devised,  to  delay  the  unwelcome  in 
terview. 

Olga  had  grown  more  quiet,  and  for  nearly  an  hour  after  the 
doctor's  departure,  she  only  now  and  then  resumed  her  ram 
bling,  incoherent  monologue.  Sitting  beside  the  bed,  Regina 
watched  quietly  until  the  clock  struck  twelve,  and  she  coaxed 
the  sufferer  to  take  a  spoonful  of  a  sedative  from  which  the 
physician  hoped  much  benefit.  She  bathed  the  crimson  cheeks 
with  a  cloth  dipped  in  iced  water,  and  all  the  while  the  hazel 
eyes  watched  her  suspiciously.  Other  reflections  began  to 
color  her  vision,  and  the  happy  phase  was  merging  into  one  of 
terror,  lest  her  lover  should  die,  or  be  torn  away  from  her. 
Leaning  over  her,  Regina  endeavored  to  compose  her  by  as- 


TNFELICR. 


420 


surances  that  Belmont  was  well  and  safe,  but  restlessly  she 
tossed  from  side  to  side. 

At  last  she  began  to  cry, — softly  at  first,  like  a  fretful  weary 
child ;  and  while  Regina  held  her  hands,  essaying  to  soothe 
her,  a  shadow  glided  between  the  gas  globe  and  the  bed,  and 
Mr.  Palma  stood  beside  the  two.  He  looked  pale,  anxious  and 
troubled,  as  his  eyes  rested  sorrowfully  on  the  fevered  face 
upon  the  pillow,  and  he  saw  that  the  luxuriant  hair  had  been 
closely  clipped,  to  facilitate  applications,  to  relieve  the  brain. 
The  parched  lips  were  browned  and  cracked,  and  the  vacant 
stare  in  the  eyes  told  him  that  consciousness  was  still  a  long 
way  off. 

But  was  there  even  then,  a  magnetic  recognition,  dim  and 
vague,  of  the  person  whom  she  regarded  as  the  inveterate 
enemy  of  her  happiness  ?  Cowering  among  the  bedclothes,  she 
trembled  and  said,  in  a  husky  yet  audible  whisper  : 

"  Will  you  hide  us  a  little  while  ?  Belmont  and  I  will  soon 
sail,  and  if  Erie  Palma  and  mamma  knew  it,  they  would  tear 
me  from  my  darling,  and  chain  me  to  Silas  Congreve — and 
that  would  kill  me.  Oh  !  I  only  want  my  darling ; — not  the 
Congreve  emeralds, — only  my  Belmont,  my  darling." 

Something  that  in  any  other  man  would  have  been  a  groan, 
came  from  the  lawyer's  granite  lips,  and  Regina  who  shivered 
at  his  presence,  looked  up  and  said  hastily  : 

"  Please  go  away,  Mr.  Palma ; — the  sight  of  you  will  make 
her  worse." 

He  only  folded  his  arms  over  his  chest,  sighed,  and  sat  down, 
keeping  his  eyes  fixed  on  Olga.  It  was  one  o'clock  before  she 
ceased  her  passionate  pleading  for  protection  from  those  whom 
she  believed  intent  upon  sacrificing  her,  and  then  turning  her 
face  to  the  wall  she  became  silent,  only  occasionally  muttering 
rapid  indistinct  sentences. 

For  some  time  Mr.  Palma  sat  with  his  elbow  on  his  knee, 
and  his  head  resting  on  his  hand,  and  even  in  that  hour  of  deep 
anxiety  and  dread,  Regina  realized  that  she  was  completely 
forgotten ;  that  he  had  neither  looked  at,  nor  spoken  to  her. 


430  TNFELICE. 

Nearly  a  half  hour  passed  thus,  and  his  gaze  had  never  wandered 
from  the  restless  sufferer  on  the  bed,  when  Regina  rose  and  re 
newed  the  cold  cloths  on  her  forehead.  She  counted  the  pulse, 
and  while  she  still  sat  on  the  edge  of  the  bed,  Olga  half  rose, 
threw  herself  forward  with  her  head  in  Regina's  lap,  and  one 
arm  clasped  around  her.  Softly  the  girl  motioned  to  her  guar 
dian  to  place  the  bowl  of  iced  water  within  her  reach,  and  dip 
ping  her  left  hand  in  the  water,  she  stole  her  fingers  lightly 
across  the  burning  brow.  Olga  became  quiet,  and  by  degrees 
the  lids  drooped  over  the  inflamed  eyes.  Patiently  Regina 
continued  her  gentle  cool  touches,  and  at  last  she  was  rewarded 
by  seeing  the  sufferer  sink  into  the  first  sleep  that  had  blessed 
her  during  her  illness. 

Fearing  to  move  even  an  inch  lest  she  should  arouse  her, 
and  knowing  the  physician's  anxiety  to  secure  repose,  the  slight 
figure  sat  like  a  statue,  supporting  the  head  and  shoulders  of 
the  sleeper.  The  clock  ticked  on,  and  no  other  sound  was 
audible,  save  a  sigh  from  Mr.  Palma,  and  the  heavy  breathing 
of  Olga.  The  former  was  leaning  back  in  his  chair,  with  his 
arms  crossed,  and  though  Regina  avoided  looking  at  him,  she 
knew  from  the  shimmer  of  his  glasses,  that  his  eyes  were  turned 
upon  her.  Gradually  the  room  grew  cold,  and  she  raised  her 
hand  and  pointed  to  a  large  shawl  lying  on  a  chair  within  his 
reach.  Very  warily  the  two  spread  it  lightly  over  the  arms  and 
shoulders,  without  disturbing  the  sleeper.  One  arm  was 
clasped  about  Regina's  waist,  and  the  flushed  face  was  pressed 
against  her  side. 

So  they  watched  until  three  o'clock,  and  then  Mr.  Palma 
saw  that  the  girl  was  wearied  by  the  constrained,  uncomfort 
able  position.  He  had  been  studying  the  colorless,  mournful 
features  that  were  as  regular  and  white  as  if  fashioned  in  Pen- 
telicus, — and  noted  that  the  heavy  hair  coiled  low  at  the  back 
of  the  head,  gave  a  singularly  graceful  outline  to  the  whole. 
She  kept  her  eyes  bent  upon  the  face  in  her  lap,  and  the  beau 
tiful  lashes  and  snowy  lids  drooped  over  their  blue  depths. 
He  knew  from  the  paling  of  her  lips  that  she  was  faint  and 


INFELICR.  43 , 

tired,  but  he  realized  that  she  could  be  relieved  only  by  the 
sacrifice  of  that  sound  slumber,  upon  which  Olga's  welfare  was 
so  dependent.  If  she  stirred  even  a  muscle,  the  sleeper  might 
awake  to  renewed  delirium. 

The  next  hour  seemed  the  longest  he  had  ever  spent,  and 
several  times  he  looked  at  his  watch,  hoping  the  clock  a  lag 
gard.  To  Regina  the  vigil  was  inexpressibly  trying,  and  sitting 
there  three  feet  from  her  guardian,  she  dared  not  lift  her  gaze 
to  the  countenance  that  was  so  dear. 

At  four  o'clock  he  took  a  pillow  and  lounge  cushion  and 
placed  them  behind  her  as  a  support  for  her  wearied  frame, 
but  she  dared  not  lean  against  them  sufficiently  to  find  relief ; 
and  stooping  he  put  his  arm  around  her  shoulder,  and  pressed 
her  head  against  him.  Laying  his  cheek  on  hers,  he  whispered 
very  cautiously,  for  his  lips  touched  her  ear : 

"  I  am  afraid  you  feel  very  faint ; — you  look  so.  Can  you 
bear  it  a  little  while  longer  ?  " 

His  breath  swept  warm  across  her  cold  cheek,  and  she  has 
tily  inclined  her  head.  He  lowered  his  arm,  but  remained 
close  beside  her,  and  at  last  she  beckoned  to  him  to  bend  down, 
and  whispered : 

"  The  fire  ought  to  be  renewed  in  the  furnace  ; — will  you  go 
down,  and  attend  to  it  ?  " 

Shod  in  his  velvet  slippers,  he  noiselessly  left  the  room. 

How  long  he  was  absent,  she  was  unable  to  determine,  for 
her  heart  was  beating  madly  from  the  pressure  of  his  cheek, 
and  the  momentary  touch  of  his  arm ;  and  gazing  at  the  ring 
on  her  finger,  she  fiercely  upbraided  herself  for  this  sinful  folly. 
Wearing  that  opal,  was  it  not  unwomanly  and  wicked  to  thrill 
at  the  contact  with  one,  who  never  could  be  more  than  her 
coolly  kind,  prudent,  sagacious  guardian  ?  She  felt  numb, 
sick,  giddy,  and  her  heart — ah !  how  it  ached  as  she  tried  to 
realize  fully  that  some  day  he  would  caress  Mrs.  Carew  ? 

Olga  slept  heavily,  and  when  Mr.  Palma  returned,  he  brought 
his  warm  scarlet-lined  dressing-gown  and  softly  laid  it  around 
Regina' s  shoulders.  She  looked  up  to  express  her  thanks,  but 


432 


TNFELICE. 


he  was  watching  Olga's  face,  and  soon  after  walked  to  the 
mantlepiece  and  stood  leaning,  with  his  elbow  upon  it. 

At  last,  the  slumberer  moaned,  turned,  and  after  a  few  rest 
less  movements,  threw  herself  back  on  the  bolster,  and  fell 
asleep  once  more,  with  disjointed  words  dying  on  her  lips.  It 
was  five  o'clock,  and  Mr.  Palma  beckoned  Regina  to  him. 

"  She  will  be  better  when  she  wakes.  Go  to  her  room,  and 
go  to  sleep.  I  will  watch  her  until  her  mother  comes  in." 

"  I  could  not  sleep,  and  am  unwilling  to  leave  her  until  the 
doctor  arrives." 

"  You  look  utterly  exhausted." 

"  I  am  stronger  than  I  seem." 

"Mrs.  Palma  tells  me  that  you  have  been  made  acquainted 
with  the  unfortunate  infatuation  which  has  overshadowed  poor 
Olga's  life  for  some  years  at  least.  I  should  be  glad  to  know 
what  you  have  learned." 

"  All  that  was  communicated  to  me  on  the  subject,  was 
under  the  seal  of  confidence,  and  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me, 
if  I  decline  to  betray  the  trust  reposed  in  me." 

"  Do  you  suppose  I  am  ignorant  of  what  has  recently  oc- 
cured  ?  " 

"  At  least  Sir,  I  shall  not  recapitulate  what  passed  between 
Olga  and  myself." 

"  You  are  aware  that  she  considers  me  the  author  of  all  hei 
wretchedness." 

"  She  certainly  regards  your, — and  Mrs.  Palma' s  opposition 
to  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Eggleston,  as  the  greatest  misfortune 
of  her  life." 

"  He  is  utterly  unworthy  of  her  affection,  is  an  unscrupulous 
dissipated  man ;  and  it  were  better  she  should  die  to-day, 
rather  than  have  wrecked  her  future  by  uniting  it  with  his." 

"  But  she  loved  him  so  devotedly." 

"She  was  deceived  in  his  character,  and  refused  to  listen  to 
a  statement  of  facts.  When  she  knows  him  as  he  really  is,  she 
will  despise  him." 

"  I  am  afraid  not" 


INF&LICE.  433 

"I  know  her,  better  than  you  60.  Olga  is  a  noble  high- 
souled  woman,  and  she  will  live  to  thank  me,  for  her  salvation 
from  Eggleston.  Her  marriage  with  Mr.  Congreve  must  not 
be  consummated  ; — i  will  never  permit  it  in  my  house." 

"  She  believes  you  have  urged  it,  have  manoeuvred  to  bring 
it  to  pass,  and  this  has  enhanced  her  bitterness." 

"  Manoeuvring  is  beneath  me,  and  I  am  unjustly  accused  of 
much,  for  which  I  am  in  no  degree  responsible.  Poor  Olga 
has  painted  me  an  inhuman  monster,  but  her  good  sense  will 
ere  long  acquit  me,  when  this  madness  has  left  her  and  she  is 
once  more  amenable  to  reason." 

He  walked  softly  across  the  floor,  leaned  over  the  bed,  and 
for  some  minutes  watched  the  sleeper,  then  quietly  left  the  room. 

Drawing  his  dressing  gown  closely  around  her,  Regina  sat 
down  near  the  bedside  ;  and  as  she  felt  the  pleasant  warmth 
of  the  pearl  gray  merino,  and  detected  the  faint  odor  of  cigar 
smoke  in  its  folds,  she  involuntarily  pressed  her  lips  to  the 
garment,  that  seemed  almost  a  part  of  its  owner. 

Day  broke  clear  and  cold,  and  when  the  sun  had  risen, 
Regina  saw  that  the  flush  was  no  longer  visible  in  Olga's  face, 
and  that  to  delirium  had  succeeded  stupor. 

The  physician  looked  anxious,  and  changed  the  medicine, 
and  he  found  some  difficulty  in  arousing  her  sufficiently  to 
administer  it.  Mrs.  Palma  resumed  her  watch  at  her  daughter's 
side,  and  Dr.  Suydam  remained  several  hours,  urging  the  pale 
young  nurse  to  take  some  repose  ;  but  aware  that  the  crisis  of 
the  disease  had  arrived,  the  latter  could  not  consent  to  quit  the 
room  even  for  a  moment.  Twice  during  the  day,  Mr.  Palma 
came  up  from  his  office,  and  into  the  darkened'  apartment 
where  life  and  death  were  battling  for  their  prostrate  prey; 
but  he  exchanged  neither  word  nor  glance  with  his  ward,  and 
after  brief  consultation  with  the  Doctor,  glided  noiselessly  away. 

About  seven  o'clock  Mrs.  Palma  went  down  to  dinner,  leav 
ing  Regina  alone- with  the  sufferer,  and  scarcely  five  minutes 
later,  she  heard  a  low  moan  from  the  figure  that  had  not  stirred 
for  many  hours. 


434  INFELICE. 

i 

Brightening  the  light,  she  peered  cautiously  at  the  face  lying 
upon  the  pillow,  and  was  startled  to  find  the  eyes  wide  open. 
Trembling  with  anxiety  she  said  : 

"  Are  you  not  better  ?     You  have  slept  long  and  soundly." 
Mournfully  the  hazel  eyes  looked  at  her,  and  the  dry  brown 
lips  quivered. 

1     "  I  have  been  awake  some  time." 
"  Before  your  mother  left  ?  " 
"Yes." 

"  Dear  Olga — is  your  mind  quite  clear  again  ?  " 
"  Terribly  clear.     I  suppose  I  have  been  delirious  ?  " 
"  Yes  you  have  known  none  of  us,  for  five  days.     Here  drink 
this,  the  Doctor  said  you  must  have  it,  the  instant  you  waked." 
"  To  keep  me  from  dying  ?     Why  should  I  live  ?     I  remem 
ber  everything, — so  vividly, — and  while  custom  made  you  all 
try  to  save  me,  you  are  obliged  to  know  it  would  have  been 
better, — more  kind  and  merciful — to  have  let  me  die  at  once. 
Give  me  some  water." 

After  some  seconds — she  wearily  put  her  hand  to  her  head, 
and  a  ghostly  smile  hovered  over  her  mouth. 

"All  my  hair  cut  off?  No  matter  now,  Belmont  will  never 
see  me  again,  and  I  only  cared  for  my  glossy  locks,  because  he 
was  so  proud  of  them.  Poor  darling." 

She  groaned,  knitted  her  brows,  and  shut  her  eyes  ;  and 
though  she  did  not  speak  again,  Regina  knew  that  she  lay 
wrestling  with  bitter  memories.  When  her  mother  came  back, 
she  turned  her  face  toward  the  wall,  and  Mrs.  Palma  eagerly 
exclaimed : 

"  My  darling — do  you  know  me  ?     Kiss  your  mother." 

Olga  only  covered  her  face  with  her  hands  and  said  wearily  : 

"  Don't  touch  me  yet,  mamma.     You  have  broken  my  heart." 

At  the  expiration  of  the  fifth  day  of  convalescence,  Olga  was 

wrapped  in  warm  shawls  and  placed  on  the  couch,  which  had 

been  drawn  near  the  grate  where  a  bright  fire  burned.     Thin 

and  wan,  she  lay  back  on  the  cushions  and  pillows,  with  her 

wasted  hands  drooping  listlessly  beside  her.     Moody,  and  taci- 


INFELICE 


435 


turn,  she  refused  all  aid  from  any  but  Regina,  and  mercilessly 
exacted  her  continual  presence.  By  day  the  latter  waited  upon 
and  read  to  her, — by  night  she  rested  on  the  same  bed,  where 
the  unhappy  woman  remained  for  hours  awake,  and  inconsol 
able,  dwelling  persistently  upon  her  luckless  fate.  At  Mrs. 
Palma's  suggestion  her  step-son  had  not  visited  the  sick-room, 
since  the  recovery  of  Olga's  consciousness  ;  and  being  closely 
confined  to  the  limits  of  the  apartment,  Regina  had  not  seen 
her  guardian  for  several  days.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon,  when  she  had  finished  brushing  the  short  tangled  hair,  that 
clung  in  auburn  rings  around  the  invalid's  forehead, — Olga  said  : 

"  Read  me  the  '  Penelope.'  " 

Regina  sat  down  on  a  low  stool  close  to  the  couch,  and  while 
she  opened  the  book  and  read,  Olga's  right  arm  stole  over  her 
shoulder.  At  the  opposite  side  of  the  hearth  her  mother  sat, 
watching  the  pair  ;  and  she  saw  the  door  open  sufficiently  to 
admit  Mr.  Palma's  head.  Quickly  she  waved  him  back — with 
a  warning  gesture ;  but  he  shook  his  head  resolutely,  advanced 
a  few  steps,  and  stood  in  a  position  which  prevented  the  girls 
from  discovering  his  presence.  As  Regina  paused  to  turn  a 
leaf,  Olga  began  a  broken  recitation,  grouping  passages  that 
suited  her  fancy  : 

"  Yea  love,  I  am  alone  in  all  the  world, 
The  past  grows  dark  upon  me  where  I  wait. 

Behold  how  I  am  mocked  ! 

They  come  to  me,  mere  men  of  hollow  clay, 
And  whisper  odious  comfort,  and  upbraid 
The  love  that  follows  thee  where'er  thou  art. 

And  they  have  dragged  a  promise  from  my  lips 
To  choose  a  murderer  of  my  love  for  thee, 
To  choose  at  will  from  out  the  rest  one  man 
To  slay  me  with  his  kisses  !" 

She  groaned,  and  gently  caressing  her  hand,  Regina  read  on, 
and  completed  the  poem. 

When   she  closed  the  book,  Mr.  Palma  came  forward  and 


436  INF  ELI  CE. 

stood  at  the  side  of  the  couch,  and  in  his  hand  he  held  several 
letters.  At  sight  of  him  a  flush  mounted  to  Olga's  hollow 
cheek,  and  she  put  her  fingers  over  her  eyes.  He  quietly  laid 
one  hand  on  her  forehead  and  said  pleadingly  : 

"  Olga,  dear  sister,  if  you  had  died  without  becoming  recon 
ciled  to  me,  I  should  never  have  felt  satisfied  or  happy,  and  I 
thank  God  you  have  been  spared  to  us  ;  spared  to  allow  me  an 
opportunity  of  explaining  some  things  which  misunderstood, 
have  caused  you  to  hate  me.  Regina  let  me  have  this  seat  a 
little  while,  and  in  a  half  hour  you  and  Mrs.  Palma  can  come 
back.  I  wish  to  talk  alone  with  Olga." 

"To  gloze  over  your  deeds  and  machinations, — to  deny  the 
dark  cowardly  work  that  has  stabbed  my  peace  forever  !  No 
— no  !  The  only  service  you  can  render  me  now,  is  to  keep 
out  of  my  sight !  Erie  Palma  I  shall  hate  you  to  my  dying 
hour  ; — and  my  only  remaining  wish, — prayer — is,  that  she 
whom  you  love — may  give  her  pure  hand  to  another  ; — that  you 
may  live  to  see  her  belong  to  other  arms  than  yours, — even  as 
you  have  helped  to  thrust  Belmont  from  mine  !  Oh  I  thank 
God  ! — your  cold  selfish  heart  has  stirred  at  last,  and  I  shall  have 
my  revenge,  when  you  come  like  me — to  see  the  lips  you  love, 
kissed  by  another, — and  the  hands  that  were  so  sacred  to  your 
fond  touch,  clasped  by  some  other  man, — wearing  the  badge 
and  fetter  of  his  ownership  !  When  your  darling  is  a  wife, — but 
not  yours, — then  the  agony  that  you  have  inflicted  on  me,  will 
be  your  portion.  Because  you.  love  her,  as  you  never  yet  loved 
even  yourself, — may  you  lose  her  forever  !  " 

She  had  struck  off  his  hand,  and  while  struggling  up  into  a 
sitting  posture,  her  eyes  kindled,  and  her  voice  shook  with  the 
tempest  of  feeling  that  broke  over  her. 

Mr.  Palma  crimsoned,  but  motioned  Mrs.  Palma  away,  and 
Regina  exclaimed  : 

"  In  her  feeble  state,  this  excitement  may  be  fatal.  Have 
you  no  mercy, — Mr.  Palma  ?  " 

"  Because  I  wish  to  be  merciful  to  her,  I  desire  you  will  leave 
the  room." 


INF  ELI  CE.  437 

Mrs.  Palma  seized  the  girl's  hand  and  drew  her  hastily  away, 
and  while  the  two  sat  on  the  staircase  near  the  door  of  the  sick 
room,  Regina  learned  from  a  hurried  and  fragmentary  narration, 
that  her  guardian  had  for  years  contributed  to  the  comfort  and 
maintenance  of  Mr.  Eggleston's  mother  and  sister, — that  his 
influence  had  been  exerted  to  induce  a  friend  in  Philadelphia 
to  purchase  the  artist's  "  California  Landscape,"  and  that  his 
persistent  opposition  to  Olga's  marriage  had  been  based  upon 
indubitable  proofs  that  Mr.  Eggleston  had  deceived  her ;  had 
addressed  three  other  ladies  during  the  seven  years'  clandestine 
correspondence,  and  had  merely  trifled  with  the  holiest  feel 
ings  of  the  girl's  trusting  heart.  In  conclusion  Mrs.  Palma 
added  : 

"  Erie  was  too  proud  to  defend  himself,  and  sternly  prohib 
ited  me  from  acquainting  her  with  some  of  his  friendly  acts. 
Even  those  two  helpless  Eggleston  women  do  not  dream  that 
their  annual  contribution  of  money  and  fuel,  comes  from  him. 
He  would  leave  Olga  in  her  prejudice  and  animosity,  did  he 
not  think  that  a  knowledge  of  all  that  has  occurred  might 
prove  to  her  how  unworthy  that  man  is.  She  stubbornly  per 
sists  that  my  step- son  is  weary  of  supporting  us,  and  desires  to 
force  this  marriage  with  Mr.  Congreve  ; — whereas — he  has 
from  the  beginning  assured  me  he  deemed  it  inexpedient,  and 
dreaded  the  result." 

"Mrs.  Palma  she  insists  that  she  will  never  marry  any  one 
now,  and  intends  to  join  one  of  the  Episcopal  Church  sister- 
ho'ods — in  a  western  city." 

"  She  certainly  will  not  marry  Mr.  Congreve,  for  Erie  called 
upon  him,  and  requested  him  to  release  Olga  from  the  engage 
ment, — alleging  among  other  reasons, — that  her  health  was 
very  much  broken,  and  that  she  would  spend  some  time  in 
Europe.  This  sisterhood  scheme,  he  declares  he  will  not  per 
mit  her  to  accomplish." 

Between  the  two  fell  a  profound  silence,  and  Regina  could 
think  of  nothing  but  her  guardian's  flushed  confused  counte 
nance,  when  Olga  taxed  him  with  his  love  for  Mrs.  Carew. 


438  fNFELICE. 

How  deeply  his  heart  must  be  engaged,  when  his  stern  cold 
non-committal  face  crimsoned  ? 

It  seemed  a  long  time,  since  they  sat  down  there, — and  Re- 
gina  was  growing  restless,  when  the  front  door-bell  rang.  The 
servant  who  brought  up  a  telegram  addressed  to  Mr.  Palma, 
informed  Mrs.  Palma  that  Mr.  Roscoe  was  waiting  in  the 
dining-room  to  see  her. 

"  My  dear,  knock  at  the  door,  and  hand  this  to  Erie.  I  will 
come  back  directly." 

She  went  down  stairs,  and  glad  of  any  pretext  to  interrupt 
an  interview  which  she  believed  must  be  torturing  to  poor  Olga, 
Regina  tapped  at  the  door. 

"  Come  in." 

Standing  on  the  threshold,  she  merely  said : 

"  Here  is  a  telegraphic  dispatch,  which  may  require  a  reply." 

"  Come  in,"  repeated  Mr.  Palma. 

Advancing,  she  saw  with  amazement,  that  he  was  kneeling 
close  to  the  couch,  with  Olga's  hand  in  his,  and  his  bowed  head 
close  to  her  face.  When  she  reached  the  lounge  she  found 
that  Olga  was  weeping  bitterly, — while  now  and  then  heavy 
sobs  convulsed  her  feeble  frame. 

"Mr.  Palma  do  you  want  to  throw  her  back  into  delirium, 
by  this  cruel  excitement?  Do  go  away,  and  leave  us  in 
peace." 

"  She  will  feel  far  happier  after  a  little  while,  and  tears  will 
ease  her  heart.  Olga  you  have  not  yet  given  me  your  promise." 

"Be  patient !  Some  day  you  will  learn  perhaps,  that  though 
the  idol  you  worshipped  so  long  has  fallen  from  the  niche 
where  you  set  it, — even  the  dust  is  sacred ;  and  you  want  no 
strange  touch  to  defile  it.  Oh  the  love, — the  confidence,  the 
idolatry — I  have  so  lavishly  squandered  !  Because  it  was 
i  wasted, — and  all — all  is  lost, — can  I  mourn  the  less  ?  " 

"  At  least  give  me  your  promise  to  wait  two  years, — to  follow 
my  advice, — to  accede  to  my  plan  for  your  future." 

He  wiped  the  tears  from  her  cheek,  and  after  some  hesitation 
she  said  brokenly : 


INF E  LICE.  439 

"  How  can  you  care  at  all,  what  becomes  of  me  ?  But  since 
you  have  saved  me  from  Mr.  Congreve,  and  contrived  to  con 
ceal  the  traces  of  my  disguise,  and  flight  from  Albany,  I  owe 
you  something,  owe  something  to  your  family  pride.  I  will 
think  over  all  you  wish,  and  perhaps  after  a  time, — I  can  see 
things  in  a  different  light  Now — all  is  dark, — ruined — 
utterly  " 

She  wept  passionately,  hiding  her  face  in  her  hands;  and 
rising,  Mr.  Palma  placed  some  open  letters  on  the  chair  beside 
her.  He  walked  to  the  window,  opened  and  read  the  telegram, 
and  Regina  saw  a  heavy  frown  darken  his  brow.  As  if  ponder 
ing  the  contents,  he  stood  for  more  than  a  minute,  then  went 
to  the  door,  and  said  from  the  threshold  : 

"  The  papers,  Olga,  are  intended  for  no  eye  but  yours.  In 
reviewing  the  past,  judge  me  leniently,  for  had  you  been  born  my 
own  sister,  I  should  have  no  deeper  interest  in  your  welfare 
Henceforth  try  to  trust  me  as  your  brother,  and  I  will  forgive 
gladly,  all  your  unjust  bitterness  and  aspersion." 

He  disappeared,  and  almost  simultaneously  Mrs.  Palma 
came  back  and  kissed  her  daughter's  forehead. 

With  a  low  piteous  wail,  Olga  threw  her  white  hands  up 
about  her  mother's  neck,  and  sobbed  : — 

"  Oh  mamma !  mamma  !  take  me  to  your  heart !    Pity  me  ! " 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

JINCE  the  night  of  Olga's  return,    Regina  had   taken 
her  meals  in  the  sick-room,  gladly  availing  herself  of 
any  pretext  for  avoiding  the  dreadful  tete-d-tete  break 
fasts. 

On  the  morning  after  the  painful  interview  between  Olga 
and  Mr.  Palma,  the  former  desired  to  remove  into  her  own 
apartment,  and  the  easy-chair  in  which  she  sat,  was  wheeled 
carefully  to  the  hearth  in  her  room. 


440  INFELICE. 

"Come  close  to  me  dear  child." 

Olga  held  her  companion  for  some  seconds  in  a  tight  embrace, 
then  kissed  her  cheek  and  forehead. 

"  Patient — true  little  friend  ; — you  saved  me  from  destruction. 
How  worn  and  white  you  look, — and  I  have  robbed  you  so  long 
of  sleep  !  When  I  am  stronger,  I  want  to  talk  to  you  ;  but 
to-day  I  must  be  alone, — must  spend  it  among  my  dead  hopes, 
— sealing  the  sepulchres.  Jean  Ingelow  tells  us  of  '  a  Dead 
Year'  'cased  in  cedar,  and  shut  in  a  sacred  gloom,'' — but  I 
have  seven  to  shroud  and  bury ; — and  will  the  day  ever  dawn, 
when  I  can  truly  say  ; — 

'  Silent  they  rest,  in  solemn  salvatory  ?  ' 

Go  out  dear,  into  the  sunshine, — you  look  so  weary.  Leave  me 
alone  in  the  cold  crypts  of  memory  ; — you  need  not  be  afraid, — • 
I  have  no  second  vial  of  poison." 

She  seemed  so  hopeless,  and  her  voice  was  so  indescribably 
mournful,  that  Regina's  eyes  filled  with  tears,  but  Mrs.  Palma 
just  then  called  her  into  the  hall. 

"  Erie  says  you  must  put  on  your  hat,  wrap  up  closely,  and 
come  down  stairs.  He  is  waiting  to  take  you  to  ride." 

She  had  not  seen  her  guardian  since  he  left  Olga's  sofa  the 
previous  day,  and  answered  without  reflection. 

"Ask  him  to  excuse  me.  I  am  not  very  well,  and — prefer 
remaining  in  my  own  room." 

From  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  Mr.  Palma' s  voice  responded  : 

"  Fresh  air  will  benefit  you.  I  insist  upon  your  coming  im 
mediately." 

She  leaned  over  the  railing — and  saw  him  buttoning  his  over 
coat. 

"  Please  Mr.  Palma,  excuse  me  to-day." 

"  Pardon  me, — I  cannot.     The  carriage  is  waiting." 

She  was  tempted  to  rebel  outright,  to  absolutely  refuse  obedi 
ence  to  his  authority,  which  threatened  her  with  the  dreaded  in 
terview,  but  a  moment's  reflection  taught  her  that  resistance  to 
his  stubborn  will  was  useless,  and  she  went  reluctantly  down 


INF  ELI  CE.  441 

stairs,  forgetting  her  gloves,  in  her  trepidation.  He  handed  her 
into  the  carriage,  took  a  seat  beside  her,  and  directed  Farley  to 
drive  to  Central  Park. 

The  day  though  cold,  was  very  bright,  and  he  partly  lowered 
the  silk  curtains,  to  shut  out  the  glare  of  the  sun.  For  a  half  hour 
they  rolled  along  the  magnificent  Avenue,  and  only  casual  ob 
servations  upon  weather,  passing  equipages,  and  similar  trivial 
topics,  afforded  Regina  time  to  compose  her  perturbed  thoughts. 
With  his  overcoat  buttoned  tight  across  his  broad  chest,  and  hat 
drawn  a  little  low  on  his  brow,  Mr.  Palma  sat,  holding  his  gloved 
ringers  interlaced ;  and  his  brilliant  eyes  rested  now  and  then 
very  searchingly  upon  the  face  at  his  side,  which  was  almost  as 
white  as  the  snowy  fur  sack — that  enveloped  her. 

"What  is  the  matter  with  your  cheek  ?  "  he  said  at  length. 

"  Why  do  you  ask  ?  "    She  instantly  shielded  it  with  her  hand. 

"  It  has  a  slightly  bluish,  bruised  appearance." 

"  It  is  of  no  consequence,  and  will  soon  disappear." 

"  Olga  must  indeed  have  struck  you  a  heavy  blow,  to  leave  a 
mark  that  lingers  so  long.  She  told  me  how  desperately  you 
wrestled,  to  stay  her  suicidal  course,  and  as  a  family,  we  owe 
you  much,  for  your  firm  brave  resistance." 

"  I  am  sorry  she  has  betrayed  what  passed.  I  hoped  you 
would  never  suspect  the  distressing  facts." 

u  When  a  girl  deliberately  defies  parental  wishes  and  counsel, 
and  scorns  the  advice  and  expostulation  of  those,  whom  experi 
ence  has  taught  something  of  life  and  the  world, — her  fate — 
sooner  or  later  is  sad  as  Olga's.  A  foolish  caprice  which  young 
ladies  invariably  denominate  '  love,' — but  which  is  generally, 
merely  flattered  vanity,  not  unfrequently  wrecks  a  woman's 
entire  life ;  and  though  Olga  will  rally  after  a  time, — she  cannot 
forget  this  humiliating  episode,  which  has  blighted  the  brightest 
epoch  of  her  existence.  Her  rash,  blind,  obstinacy  has  cost 
her  very  dear.  Here, — let  us  get  out ;  I  want  you  to  walk 
awhile." 

They  had  entered  the  Park,  and  ordering  the  driver  to  await 
them  at  a  specified  spot,  Mr.  Palma  turned  into  the  Ramble. 
19* 


442  INFELICE. 

For  some  moments  they  walked  in  silence,  and  finally  he 
pointed  to  a  rustic  seat  somewhat  secluded,  and  beyond  the 
observation  of  the  few  persons  strolling  through  the  grounds. 
Regina  sat  with  her  muff  in  her  lap,  and  her  bare  hands  nerv 
ously  toying  with  the  white  silk  tassel.  Her  guardian  noticed 
the  tremulousness  of  her  lip,  and  at  that  moment,  the  sun  smiting 
the  ring  on  her  finger,  kindled  the  tiny  diamonds  into  a  circle 
of  fire.  Mr.  Palma  drew  off  his  gloves,  put  them  in  his  pocket, 
and  just  touched  the  opal,  saying  coldly  : 

"  Is  that  a  recent  gift  from  your  mother  ?  I  never  saw  you 
wear  it,  until  the  night  you  bathed  poor  Olga's  forehead." 

"  No  sir." 

Involuntarily  she  laid  her  palm  over  the  jewels  that  were  be 
ginning  to  grow  odious  in  her  own  sight. 

"  May  I  inquire  how  long  it  has  been  in  your  possession  ?  " 

"  Since  before  I  left  the  Parsonage.  I  had  it  when  I  came 
to  New  York." 

"Why  then  have  you  never  worn  it  ?  " 

"  What  interest  can  such  a  trifle  possess  for  you,  sir  ?" 

"  Sufficient  at  least  to  require  an  answer." 

She  sat  silent. 

"  Regina." 

"I  hear  you  Mr.  Palma." 

"  Then  shov  me  the  courtesy  of  looking  at  me,  when  you 
speak.  Circumstances  have  debarred  me  until  now,  from  re 
ferring  to  a  letter  from  India,  which  I  gave  you  before  I  went 
to  Washington.  I  presume  you  are  aware,  that  the  writer  in 
enclosing  it  to  me,  acquainted  me  with  its  tenor  and  import. 
Will  you  permit  me  to  read  it  ?  " 

"  I  sent  it  to  my  mother — nearly  a  week  ago." 

She  had  raised  her  eyes,  and  looked  at  him  almost  defiantly, 
nervirg  herself  for  the  storm  that  already  darkened  his  coun-. 
teuance. 

"  Mr.  Lindsay  very  properly  informed  me  that  his  letter  con 
tained  an  offer  of  marriage,  and  though  I  requested  you  to  de 
fer  your  answer  until  my  return,  I  could  not  of  course  doubt 


TNFELICE.  443 

that  it  would  prove  a  positive  rejection, — since  you  so  earnestly 
assured  me  be  could  never  be  more  than  a  brother  to  you.  At 
least  let  me  suggest  that  you  clothe  the  refusal  in  the  kindest 
possible  terms." 

Her  face  whitened,  and  she  compressed  her  lips,  but  her 
beautiful  eyes  became  touchingly  mournful  in  their  strained  gaze. 
Mr.  Palma  took  off  his  glasses,  and  for  the  first  time  in  her  life, 
she  saw  the  full,  fine  bright  black  eyes,  without  the  medium  of 
lenses.  How  they  looked  down  into  hers  ? 

She  caught  her  breath,  and  he  smiled  : 

"  My  ward  must  be  frank  with  her  guardian." 

"  I  have  been  frank  with  my  mother,  and  since  nothing  has 
been  concealed  from  her,  no  one  else  has  the  right  to  catechise 
me.  To  her,  it  is  incumbent  upon  me  to  confide  even  the 
sacred  details  to  which  you  allude,  and  she  knows  all ;  but  you 
can  have  no  real  interest  in  the  matter." 

"  Pardon  me,  I  have  a  very  deep  interest  in  all  that  concerns 
my  ward ;  especially  when  the  disposal  of  her  hand  is  involved. 
What  answer  have  you  given  '  Brother  Douglass '  ?'•' 

As  he  spoke,  he  laid  his  hand  firmly  on  both  of  hers,  but  she 
attempted  to  rise. 

"  Oh  Mr.  Palma  !  Ask  me  no  more, — spare  me  this  inqui 
sition.  You  transcend  your  authority." 

"  Sit  still.  Answer  me  frankly.  You  declined  Mr.  Lindsay's 
offer?" 

"No  sir!" 

She  felt  his  hand  suddenly  clutch  hers,  and  grow  cold. 

"  Lily  !    Lily  !  " 

The  very  tone  was  like  a  prayer.    Presently,  he  said  sternly  : 

"  You  must  not  dare  to  trifle  with  me.  You  cannot  intend 
to  accept  him  ?  " 

"  Mother  will  determine  for  me." 

Mr.  Palma  had  become  very  pale,  and  his  glittering  teeth 
gnawed  his  lower  lip. 

"  Is  your  acceptance  of  that  man  contingent  only  on  her 
consent,  and  approval  ?  " 


444 


INFELtCE. 


For  a  moment  she  looked  away  at  the  blue  heavens  bending 
above  her,  and  wondered  if  the  sky  would  blacken,  when  she 
had  irretrievably  committed  herself  to  this  union.  The  thought 
was  hourly  growing  horrible,  and  she  shivered. 

He  stooped  close  to  her,  and  even  then  she  noted  how 
labored  was  his  breathing, — and  that  his  mouth  quivered  : 

"  Answer  me  ; — do  you  mean  to  marry  him  ?  " 

"  I  do, — if  mother  gives  me  permission." 

Bravely  she  met  his  eyes,  but  her  words  were  a  mere  whisper, 
and  she  felt  that  the  worst  was  over  ; — for  her,  there  could  be 
no  retraction. 

It  was  the  keenest  blow,  the  most  bitter  disappointment  oi 
Erie  Palma's  hitherto  successful  life,  but  his  face  hardened,  and 
he  bore  it,  as  was  his  habit,  without  any  demonstration,  save 
that,  discoverable  in  his  mortal  paleness. 

During  the  brief  silence  that  ensued,  he  still  held  his  hand 
firmly  on  hers,  and  when  he  spoke,  his  tone  was  cold  and  stern. 

"  My  opinion  of  your  probable  course  in  this  matter,  was 
founded  entirely  upon  belief  in  the  truthfulness  of  your  state 
ment, — that  Mr.  Lindsay  had  no  claim  on  your  heart.  Only  a 
short  time  since,  you  assured  me  of  this  fact,  and  my  faith  in 
your  candor  must  plead  pardon  for  my  present  profound  sur 
prise.  Certainly  I  was  credulous  enough  to  consider  you  in 
capable  of  deceit." 

The  scorn  in  his  eyes  stung  her  like  a  lash,  and  clasping  her 
fingers  spasmodically  around  his  hand,  she  exclaimed  : 

"  I  never  intended  to  deceive  you.    Oh  do  not  despise  me  !  " 

"  I  presume  you  understand  the  meaning  of  the  words  you 
employ ;  and  when  I  asked  you  if  I  would  be  justified  in  soft 
ening  your  rejection  of  my  cousin,  by  assuring  him  that  your 
affections  were  already  engaged,  you  emphatically  negatived 
that  statement,  saying  it  would  be  untrue." 

"Yes — and  I  thought  so  then  ;  but  I  did  not  know  my  own 
heart." 

Her  shadowy  eyes  looked  appealingly  into  his,  but  he  sniilec 
contemptuously. 


INFELICE.  445 

"  You  did  not  know  your  affections  had  travelled  to  India, 
until  the  gentleman  formally  asked  for  them  ?  Do  you  expect 
me  to  believe  that  ?  " 

"  Believe  anything, — except  that  I  wilfully  deceived  you." 

The  anguish,  the  hopelessness  written  in  her  blanched  face 
— and  the  trembling  of  the  childishly  small  hands  that  had  un 
consciously  tightened  around  his,  touched  him. 

He  put  his  right  hand  under  her  chin,  and  lifted  the  face. 

"  Lily  I  want  the  truth.  I  intend  to  have  it ; — and  all  of  it. 
Now  look  me  in  the  eye,  and  answer  me  solemnly,  remember 
ing  that  the  God  you  reverence,  hears  your  words.  Do  you 
really  love  Mr.  Lindsay  ?  " 

u  Yes, — he  is  so'good,  how  can  I  help  feeling  attached  to  him  ?" 

"  You  love  him  next  to  your  mother  ?  " 

"  I  think  1  do." 

The  words  cost  her  a  great  effort,  and  her  eyes  wandered  from 
his. 

"Look  straight  at  me.  You  love  him  so  well  you  wish  to 
be  his  wife  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  make  him  happy,  if  I  can." 

"  No  evasions  if  you  please.  Answer  yes,  or  no.  Is  Mr. 
Lindsay  dearer  to  you  than  all  else  in  the  world  ?  " 

"  Next  to  mother's, — his  happiness  is  dearest  to  me." 

"Yes — or  no — this  time  ; — is  there  no  one  you  love  better?  " 

Earth  and  sky,  trees  and  rocks  seemed  whirling  into  chaos, 
— and  she  shut  her  eyes. 

"You  have  no  right  to  question  me  farther.  I  will  answer 
no  more." 

Was  the  world  really  coming  to  an  end  ?  She  heard  her 
guardian  laugh,  and  the  next  moment  he  had  caught  her  to  his 
heart.  What  did  it  mean  ?  Was  she  too  growing  delirious 
with  brain  fever  ?  His  arm  held  her  pressed  close  to  his  bosom, 
and  his  cheek  leaned  on  her  head,  while  strangely  sweet  and 
xow  were  his  words  : 

"  Ah  Lily  !  Lily  !     Hush.     Be  still." 

She  wished   that  she   could   die   then    and    there, — for   the 


446  INFELICE. 

thought  of  Mr.  Lindsay — sickened  her  soul.     But  the  memory 
of  the  ring  appalled  her,  and  she  struggled  to  free  herself. 

"  Let  me  go  !     Do  let  us  go  home.     I  am  sick." 

His  arm  drew  her  closer  still. 

"  Be  quiet,  and  let  me  talk  to  you,  and  remember  I  am  your 
guardian.  Lily  I  am  afraid  you  are  tempted  to  stray  into  dan 
gerous  paths,  and  your  tender  little  heart  is  not  a  safe  coun 
sellor.  You  are  sincerely  attached  to  your  old  friend,  you 
trust  and  honor  him,  you  are  very  grateful  to  him  for  years  of 
kindness  during  your  childhood  ;  and  now  when  his  health  has 
failed,  and  he  appeals  to  you  to  repay  the  affection  he  has  long 
given  you, — gratitude  seems  to  assume  the  form  of  duty,  and 
you  are  trving  to  persuade  yourself  that  you  ought  to  grant  his 
prayer.  Lily — love  is  the  only  chrism  that  sanctifies  marriage, 
and  though  at  present  you  might  consent  to  become  Mr.  Lind 
say's  wife,  suppose  that  in  after  years  you  should  chance  to 
meet  some  other  man, — perhaps  not  so  holy,  so  purely  Chris 
tian  as  this  noble  young  missionary, — but  a  man  who  seized, 
possessed  your  deep — deathless  womanly  love, — and  whom  you 
knew  loved  you  in  return  ?  What  then  ?  " 

"  I  would  still  do  my  duty  to  my  dear  Douglass." 

"  No  doubt  you  would  try.  But  you  would  do  wrong  to 
marry  your  friend,  feeling  as  you  do  ;  and  you  ought  to  wait 
and  fully  explain  to  him  the  nature  of  your  sentiments.  You 
are  almost  a  child, — and  scarcely  know  your  own  heart  yet, 
and  I  as  your  guardian  cannot  consent  to  see  you  rashly  forge 
fetters,  that  may  possibly  gall  you  in  future.  The  letter  to  your 
mother  has  not  yet  been  forwarded.  Hattie  to  whom  you  en 
trusted  it,  did  not  give  it  to  me  until  this  morning,  alleging  in 
apology  that  she  put  it  in  her  pocket,  and  forgot  it.  I  have 
reason  to  believe  that  in  a  very  short  time  you  will  see  your 
mother ;  let  this  matter  rest  until  you  can  converse  fully  with 
her,  and  if  she  sanctions  your  decision,  I  of  course  shall  have  no 
right  to  expostulate.  Lily  I  want  to  see  you  happy,  and  while  I 
profoundly  respect  Mr.  Lindsay,  who  I  daresay,  is  a  most  estima 
ble  gentleman,  T  should  not  very  cordially  give  you  away  to  him." 


INFELICE.  447 

She  rose  and  stood  before  him,  clasping  her  hands  tightly  over 
each  other;  tearless,  tortured,  —  striving  to  see  the  path  of  duty. 

"  Mr.  Palma,  if  I  can  only  make  him  happy  !  I  owe  him  so 
much.  When  I  remember  all  that  he  did  so  tenderly  for  years, 
— and  especially  on  that  awful  night  of  the  storm, — 1  feel  that 
I  ought  not  to  refuse  what  he  asks  of  me." 

"If  he  knew  how  you  felt,  I  think  J  could  safely  promise  for 
him,  that  he  would  not  accept  your  hand.  The  heart  of  the 
woman  he  loves,  is  the  boon  that  a  man  holds  most  precious. 
Lily  you  know  your  inmost  heart  does  not  prompt  you  to  marry 
Mr.  Lindsay." 

Did  he  suspect  her  secret  folly  ?  The  blood  that  had  seemed 
to  curdle  around  her  aching  heart,  surged  into  her  cheeks, 
painting  them  a  vivid  rose,  and  she  said  hastily : 

"  Indeed  he  is  very  dear  to  me.  He  is  the  noblest  man  I 
ever  knew.  How  could  I  fail  to  love  him  ?  " 

He  took  her  left  hand,  and  examined  the  ring. 

"  You  wear  this,  as  a  pledge  of  betrothal  ?  Is  it  not  prema 
ture,  when  your  mother  is  in  ignorance  of  your  purpose  ?  Tell 
me — my  ward,  tell  me, — do  you  not  rather  keep  it  here  to 
stimulate  your  flagging  sense  of  duty  ?  To  strengthen  you  to 
adhere  to  your  rash  resolve  ?  " 

"  He  wrote  that  if  I  had  faithfully  kept  my  farewell  promise 
to  him,  he  wished  me  to  wear  it." 

"  May  I  know  the  nature  of  that  promise  ?  " 

"That  I  would  always  love  him,  next  to  my  mother." 

"  But  I  think  you  admitted  that  possibly  you  might  some  day 
meet  your  ideal, — who  would  be  dearer  even  than  mother,  and 
Douglass.  I  do  not  wish  to  distress  you  needlessly,  but  while 
you  are  under  my  protection  I  must  unflinchingly  do  all  that 
honor  demands  of  a  faithful  guardian.  I  can  permit  no  engage 
ment  without  your  mother's  approval ; — and  I  honestly  confess 
to  you,  that  I  am  growing  impatient  to  place  you  in  her  care^ 
Do  you  still  desire  your  letter  forwarded  ?  " 

"  If  you  please." 

"  Sit  down.     I  have  sad  news  for  you." 


448  INFELICE. 

He  unbuttoned  his  coat,  took  an  envelope  from  his  pocket,  and 
she  recognized  the  telegram  which  had  arrived  the  previous  day. 

"  Regina  many  guardians  would  doubtless  withhold  this,  but 
fairness  and  perfect  candor  have  been  my  rule  of  life,  and  I  pre 
fer  frankness  to  diplomacy.  This  telegraphic  dispatch  arrived 
yesterday,  and  is  intended  for  you,  though  addressed  to  me." 

He  put  it  in  her  hand,  and  filled  with  an  undefined  terror 

that  chilled  her,  she  read  : 

"SAN  FRANCISCO. 

"  MR.  ERLE  PALMA  : — Tell  your  ward  that  Douglass  is  too 
ill  to  travel  farther.  If  she  wishes  to  see  him  alive  she  must 
come  immediately.  Can't  you  bring  her  on  at  once? 

"  ELISE  LINDSAY." 

The  dispatch  fluttered  to  the  ground  and  the  girl  moaned 
and  bowed  her  face  in  her  hands.  He  waited  some  minutes, 
and  with  a  sob,  she  said  : 

"  Oh  let  me  go  to  him  !  It  might  be  a  comfort  to  him — and 
if  he  should  die  ?  Oh  do  let  me  go  !  " 

"  Do  you  think  your  mother  would  consent  to  your  taking  so 
grave  a  step  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,  but  she  would  not  blame  me  when  she 
learned  the  circumstances.  If  I  waited  to  consult  her  he  might 
— oh  !  we  are  wasting  time  !  Mr.  Palma — pity  me  !  Send  me 
to  him, — to  the  friend  who  loves  me  so  truly,  so  devotedly ! " 

She  started  up,  and  wrung  her  hands,  as  imagination  pictured 
the  noble  friend  ill,  perhaps  dying — and  longing  to  see  her. 

"  Regina  compose  yourself.  That  telegram  has  been  de 
layed  by  an  unprecedented  fall  of  snow  that  interrupts  the 
operation  of  the  wires,  and  it  is  dated  three  days  ago.  Last 
night  I  telegraphed  to  learn  Mr.  Lindsay's  condition,  but  up  to 
the  time  of  our  leaving  honae,  the  wires  were  not  working 
through  to  San  Francisco ;  and  the  trains  on  the  Union  Pacific 
are  completely  snow-bound.  The  agent  told  me  this  morning 
that  it  was  uncertain  when  the  cars  would  run  through,  as  the 
track  is  blocked  up.  Until  we  ascertain  something  definite,  let 
me  advise  you  to  withhold  your  letter,  enclosing  his;  for  I 


INF  ELI  CE.  449 

ought  to  tell  you,  that  I  am  daily  expecting  a  summons  to  send 
you  to  Europe.  Come  walk  with  me,  and  try  to  be  patient." 

He  offered  her  his  arm,  and  they  walked  for  some  time  in  pro 
found  silence.  At  last  she  exclaimed  passionately  : 

"Please  let  me  go  home.     I  want  to  be  alone." 

They  finally  reached  the  carriage,  and  Mr.  Palma,  gave  the 
coachman  directions  to  drive  to  the  Telegraph  Office.  During 
the  ride,  Regina  leaned  back,  wWi  her  face  pressed  against  the 
silken  curtain  on  the  side,  and  her  eyes  closed.  Her  compan 
ion  could  see  the  regular  chiselled  profile,  so  delicate  and  yet 
so  firm,  and  as  he  studied  the  curves  of  her  beautiful  mouth,  he 
realized  that  she  had  fully  resolved  to  fulfil  her  promise  ;  that  at 
any  cost  of  personal  suffering  she  would  grant  the  prayer  of  the 
devoted  young  minister. 

Scientists  tell  us,  that  "there  are  in  the  mineral  world  certain 
crystals,  certain  forms,  for  instance  of  fluor-spar,  which  have 
lain  darkly  in  the  earth  for  ages,  but  which  nevertheless  have  a 
potency  of  light  locked  up  within  them.  In  their  case  the  poten 
tial  has  never  become  actual, — the  light  is  in  fact  held  back  by 
a  molecular  detent.  When  these  crystals  are  warmed,  the 
detent  is  lifted,  and  an  outflow  of  light  immediately  begins." 
How  often  subtle  analogies  in  physical  nature  whisper  inter 
pretations  of  vexing  psychological  enigmas? 

Was  Erie  Palma  an  animated,  human  fluor-spar  ?  Had  the 
latent  capacity,  the  potentiality  of  tenderness  in  his  character 
been  suddenly  actualized,  by  the  touch  of  that  girl's  gentle 
hands,— the  violet  splendor  of  her  large  soft  eyes,  which  lifted 
forever  the  detent  of  his  cold  isolating  selfishness? 

The  long  hidden  light  had  flashed  at  last,  making  his  heart 
radiant  with  a  supreme  happiness  which  even  the  blaze  of  his 
towering  and  successful  ambition  had  never  kindled  ;  and  to-day 
he  found  it  difficult  indeed  to  stand  aside,  with  folded  arms  and 
sealed  lips,  while  she  reeled  upon  the  brink  of  an  abyss,  which 
was  so  wide  and  deep,  that  it  threatened  to  bury  all  his  hopes 
of  that  sacred  home  life — which  sooner  or  later  sings  its  danger 
ous  siren  song  in  every  man's  heart. 

To  his  proud  worldly  nature,  this  dream  of  pure,  deep,  unself- 


450  IN  FELICE. 

ish  love,  had  stolen  like  the  warm,  rich  spicy  breath  of  June 
roses — swung  unexpectedly  over  a  glacier, — bringing  the  flush 
and  perfume  of  early  summer  time  to  the  glittering  blue  realms 
of  winter  ;  and  he  longed  inexpressibly  to  open  all  his  heart  to 
the  sweet  sunshine, — to  gather  it  in, — garnering  it  as  his  own 
forever.  How  his  stern  soul  clung  to  that  shy,  shrinking  girl, 
who  seemed  in  contrast  to  the  gay  brilliant  self-asserting  women 
he  met  in  society, — as  some  white  marble-lidded  Psyche,  stand 
ing  on  her  pedestal,  amid  a  group  of  gfowing  Venetian  Venuses  ? 
He  had  seen  riper  complexions,  and  more  rounded  symmetry ; 
and  had  smiled  and  bowed  at  graceful  polished  persiflage,  more 
witty  than  aught  that  ever  crossed  her  quiet,  daintily  carved 
lips  ;  but  though  he  had  admired  many  lovely  women  of  genius 
and  culture,  that  pale  girl  striving  to  hide  her  grieved  counte 
nance  against  his  carriage  curtain, — was  the  only  one  he  had 
ever  desired  to  call  his  wife.  That  any  other  man  dared  hope 
to  win  or  claim  her,  seemed  sacrilegious  ;  and  he  felt  that  he 
would  rather  see  her  lying  in  her  coffin,  than  know  that  she  was 
profaned  by  any  touch, — save  his. 

Neither  spoke,  and  when  the  carriage  stopped  at  the  Tek 
graph  Office,  Mr.  Palma  went  in  and  remained  some  time.  As 
he  returned,  she  felt  that  he  held  her  destiny  for  all  time  in  his 
hands,  and  in  after  years,  he  often  recalled  the  despairing,  terri 
fied  expression  of  the  face  that  leaned  forward,  with  parted 
quivering  lips,  and  eyes  that  looked  a  prayer  for  pity. 

"  The  wires  are  not  yet  working  fully,  but  probably  messages 
will  go  through  during  the  day.  Regina  try  to  be  patient,  and 
believe  that  you  shall  learn  the  nature  of  Mrs.  Lindsay's  an 
swer  as  soon  as  I  receive  it.  Tell  Mrs.  Palma  I  shall  not  come 
home  to  dine,  have  pressing  business  at  Court,  and  cannot  tell 
how  long  I  may  be  detained  at  my  office.  Good-by.  The 
dispatch  shall  be  sent  to  you  without  delay." 

He  lifted  his  hat,  closed  the  carriage  door,  and  motioned  to 
Farley  to  drive  home. 

Locked  in  her  own  apartment  Olga  denied  admittance  to 
even  her  mother,  who  improved  the  opportunity  to  answer  a 
number  of  neglected  letters,  and  Regina  was  left  to  the  seclusioc 


INF E  LICE.  45 1 

of  her  room.  As  the  day  wore  slowly  away,  her  restlessness 
increased,  and  she  paced  the  floor  until  her  limbs  trembled  from 
weariness.  Deliberately  she  recalled  all  the  incidents  of  the 
long  residence  at  the  Parsonage,  and  strove  to  live  again  the 
happy  season,  during  which  the  young  minister  had  contrib 
uted  so  largely  to  her  perfect  contentment.  The  white  pets 
they  had  tended  and  caressed  together, — the  books  she  had 
read  with  him,  the  favorite  passages  he  had  italicized — the  songs 
he  loved  best, — the  flowers  he  laid  upon  her  breakfast  plate, 
and  now  and  then  twined  in  her  hair  ; — above  all  his  loving 
persuasive  tone, — quiet  gentle  words  of  affectionate  counsel, — 
and  tender  pet  name  for  her, — "  my  white  dove." 

How  fervent  had  been  his  prayer  that  when  he  returned,  he 
might  find  her  "  unspotted  from  the  world."  Was  she  ?  Could 
she  bear  to  deceive  the  brave  loyal  heart  that  trusted  her  so 
completely  ? 

Once  at  church,  she  had  witnessed  a  marriage,  heard  the  aw 
fully  solemn  vows  that  the  bride  registered  in  the  sight  of  God, 
and  to-day  the  words  flamed  like  the  sword  of  the  avenging  angel, 
— like  a  menace,  a  challenge.  Would  Douglass  take  her  for 
his  wife,  if  he  knew  that  Mr.  Palma  had  become  dearer  to  her 
than  all  the  world  beside  ?  Could  she  deny  that  his  voice  and 
the  touch  of  his  hand  on  hers,  magnetized,  thrilled  her,  as  no 
one  else  had  power  to  do  ?  She  could  think  without  pain,  of 
Mr.  Lindsay  selecting  some  other  lady  and  learning  to  love  her 
as  his  wife,  forgetting  the  child  Regina  ; — but  when  she  forced 
herself  to  reflect  that  her  guardian  would  soon  be  Mrs.  Carew's 
husband, — the  torture  seemed  unendurable. 

Unlocking  a  drawer,  she  spread  before  her  all  the  little  sou 
venirs  Mr.  Lindsay  had  given  her.  ,  The  faded  flowers,  that 
once  glowed  under  the  fervid  sun  of  India, — the  seal  and  pen, 
—the  blue  and  gold  Tennyson,  and  Whittier,  and  the  pretty 
copy  of  Christina  Rossetti's  poems,  he  had  sent  from  Liver 
pool.  One  by  one  she  read  his  letters, — ending  with  the  last, 
which  Mr.  Palma  had  laid  on  her  lap — when  he  left  the  car 
riage. 


452  INF  ELI  CE. 

Despite  her  efforts,  above  the  dear  meek  gentle  image  of  the 
consecrated  and  devout  missionary, — towered  the  stately  proud 
form  of  the  brilliant  lawyer,  with  his  chilling  smile,  and  haughty 
marble  brow  ;  and  she  knew  that  he  reigned  supreme  in  her 
heart.  He  was  not  so  generous,  so  nobly  self-sacrificing,  so 
holy,  and  pious  as  Mr.  Lindsay,  nor  did  she  reverence  him  so 
entirely ;  but  above  all  else  she  loved  him.  Conscience,  pride, 
and  womanly  delicacy  all  clamored  in  behalf  of  the  absent  but 
faithful  lover  ;  and  the  true  heart  answered, — "  Away  with  soph 
istry,:^ — and  gratitude, — pitying  affection,  and  sympathy  !  I  am 
vassal  to  but  one  ; — give  me  Erie  Palma,  my  king." 

If  she  married  Douglass  and  he  afterward  discovered  the 
truth,  could  he  be  happy, — could  he  ever  trust  her  again  ?  She 
resolved  to  go  to  San .  Francisco,  to  tell  Mr.  Lindsay  without 
reservation  all  that  she  felt, — withholding  only  the  name  of  the 
man  whom  she  loved  best ; — and  if  he  could  be  content  with 
the  little  she  could  give  in  return  for  his  attachment,  then  with 
no  deception  flitting  like  a  ghoul  between  them,  she  would  ask 
her  mother's  permission  to  dedicate  the  future  to  Douglass 
Lindsay.  She  would  never  see  her  guardian  again, — and  when 
he  was  married  it  would  be  sinful  even  to  think  of  him,  and  her 
duties  and  new  ties  must  help  her  to  forget  him. 

Pleading  weariness  and  indisposition,  she  had  absented  her 
self  from  dinner,  and  when  night  came,  it  was  upon  leaden 
wings  that  oppressed  her.  Feverish  and  restless  she  raised  the 
sash,  and  though  the  temperature  was  freezing  outside,  she 
leaned  heavily  on  the  sill  and  inhaled  the  air.  A  distant  clock 
struck  eleven,  and  she  stood  looking  at  the  moon  that  flooded 
the  Avenue  with  splendor,  and  shone  like  a  sheet  of  silver  on 
the  glass  of  a  window  opposite. 

Very  soon  a  peculiarly-measured  step,  slow  and  firm,  rung 
on  the  pavement  beneath  her,  and  ere  the  muffled  figure  paused 
at  the  door,  she  recognized  her  guardian.  He  entered  by 
means  of  a  latch-key,  and  closing  the  window  Regina  sat  down 
and  listened.  Her  heart  beat  like  a  drum,  dro\vning  other 
sounds,  and  all  else  was  so  still  that  after  a  little  while  she 


INFELICE.  453 

supposed  no  message  had  been  received,  and  that  Mr.  Palma 
had  gone  to  sleep. 

She  dreaded  to  lie  down,  knowing  that  her  pillow  would 
prove  one  not  of  roses,  but  thorns.  She  prayed  long  and 
fervently  that  God  would  help  her  to  do  right  under  all  circum 
stances, — would  enable  her  to  conquer  and  govern  her  wilful 
riotous  heart,  subduing  it  to  the  dictates  of  duty; — and  in  con 
clusion  she  begged  that  the  Heavenly  Father  would  spare  and 
strengthen  his  feeble,  suffering,  consecrated  minister, — spare  a 
life  she  would  strive  to  brighten. 

Rising  from  her  knees  she  opened  a  little  illustrated  Testa 
ment  Mr.  Lindsay  had  given  her  on  her  thirteenth  birthday,  and 
which  she  was  accustomed  to  read  every  night.  The  fourteenth 
chapter  of  St.  John  happened  to  meet  her  eye. 

"  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid,  ye 
believe  in  God, — believe  also  in  Me."  Just  then  she  heard  a 
low  cautious  tap  upon  her  door.  Her  heart  stood  still,  she 
felt  paralyzed,  but  found  voice  to  say  hoarsely  : 

"Come  in." 

The  door  was  partly  opened,  but  no  one  entered,  and  she 
went  forward  to  the  threshold.  Mr.  Palma  was  standing  out 
side,  with  his  face  averted,  and  in  his  outstretched  hand  she  saw 
the  well-known  telegraphic  envelope,  which  always  arouses  a 
thrill  of  dread, — bearing  so  frequently  the  bolt  of  destruction 
into  tranquil  households.  Shaking  like  aspens  when  the  west 
wind  blows,  she  took  it. 

"  Tell  me — is  he  better  ?  " 

Mr.  Palma  turned,  gave  one  swift  pitying  glance  at  her  ago 
nized  face,  and  as  if  unable  to  endure  the  sight,  walked  quickly 
away.  She  shut  the  door,  stood  a  moment — spell-bound  by 

dread,  then  held  the  sheet  to  the  light. 

"  SAN  FRANCISCO. 

"  MR.  ERLE  PALMA  : — My  Douglass  died  last  night. 

"  ELISE  LINDSAY." 

"  Though  Duty's  face  is  stern,  her  path  is  best  ; 
They  sweetly  sleep  who  die  upon  her  breast." 


454  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

| OUR  bed  is  untouched,  you  did  not  undress  !     Why 
did  you  sit  up  all  night,  and  alone  ?  " 

"  Because  I  knew  it  was  folly  to  attempt  to  sleep  ; 
and  to  watch  the  bay  and  the  beauty  of  the  night,  was  less 
wearying  than  to  toss  on  a  pillow, — staring  at  the  ceiling.  Mrs. 
Waul  what  brings  you  in  so  early  ?" 

"  A  package  of  letters  which  must  have  arrived  yesterday, 
but  William  only  received  them  a  few  minutes  since.  Mrs. 
Orme  will  you  have  your  coffee  now  ?  " 

"After  a  little  while.  Have  everything  in  order,  to  leave  at 
a  moment's  notice,  for  I  may  not  return  here  from  Paestum, 
Give  me  the  letters." 

Mrs.  Orme  tossed  back  her  hair  which  had  been  unbound, 
and  as  the  letters  were  placed  in  her  hand,  she  seemed  almost 
to  forget  them,  so  abstracted  was  the  expression  with  which  her 
eyes  rested  on  the  dancing  waves  of  the  Bay  of  Naples.  The 
noise  of  the  door  closing  behind  Mrs.  Waul,  seemed  to  arouse 
her,  and  glancing  at  the  letters,  she  opened  one  from  Mr. 
Palma. 

The  long  and  harrowing  vigil  which  had  lasted  from  the  mo- 
moment  of  bidding  Gen.  Laurance  good-night,  on  the  previous 
evening,  had  left  its  weary  traces  in  the  beautiful  face  ;  but  rigid 
resolution  had  also  set  its  stern  seal  on  the  compressed  mouth, 
and  the  eyes  were  relentless  as  those  of  Irene,  waiting  for  the 
awful  consummation  in  the  Porphyry  chamber  at  Byzantium. 

The  spirit  of  revenge  had  effectually  banished  all  the  purer, 
holier  emotions  of  her  nature  ;  and  the  hope  of  an  overwhelming 
Nemesis,  beckoned  her  to  a  fearful  sacrifice  of  womanly  sensi 
bility,  but  just  now,  nothing  seemed  too  sacred  to  be  immolated 
upon  the  altar  of  her  implacable  Hate.  To  stab  the  hearts  of 
those  who  had  wronged  her,  she  gladly  subjected  her  own  to 
the  fiery  ordeal  of  a  merely  nominal  marriage  with  her  husband's 


INFELICE.  455 

father, — resolving  that  her  triumph  should  be  complete.  Orig 
inally  gentle,  loving,  yielding  in  nature, — injustice  and  adver 
sity  had  gradually  petrified  her  character  ;  yet  beneath  the  rigid 
exterior  flowed  a  lava  tide,  that  now  and  then  overflowed  its 
stony  barriers — and  threatened  irremediable  ruin. 

Fully  resolved  upon  the  revolting  scheme  which  promised 
punishment  to  the  family  of  Laurance,  and 

"  Self-girded  with  torn  strips  of  hope," 

she  opened,  the  New  York  letter. 

The  first  few  lines  riveted  her  attention.  She  sat  erect, — 
leaned  forward,  with  eyes  wide  and  strained,  and  gradually  rose 
to  her  feet, — clutching  the  letter,  until  her  fingers  grew  purple. 
As  she  hurried  on,  breathing  like  one  whose  everlasting  destiny 
is  being  laid  in  the  balance, — a  marvellous  change  overspread 
her  countenance.  The  blood  glowed  in  lip  and  cheek, — the 
wild  sparkle  sank,  extinguished  in  the  tears  that  filled  her  eyes, — 
the  hardness  melted  away  from  the  resolute  features,  and  at  last — 
a  cry  like  that  of  some  doomed  spirit  suddenly  snatched  from 
the  horrors  of  perdition  and  set  forever  at  rest  upon  meads  of 
Asphodel  and  Amaranth, — rolled  through  the  room. 

After  so  many  years  of  reckless  hopelessness,  the  transition 
was  overpowering,  and  the  miserable  wife  and  mother  rescued 
upon  the  extreme  verge  of  utter  lifelong  ruin,  fell  forward 
upon  her  knees, — sobbing  and  laughing  alternately. 

From  the  hour  when  she  learned  of  her  husband's  second 
marriage,  she  had  ceased  to  pray,  abandoning  herself  complete 
ly  to  the  cynicism  and  vindictiveness  that  overflowed  her  soul 
like  a  wave  of  Phlegethon  ;  but  now  the  fountain  of  gratitude 
was  unsealed,  and  she  poured  out  a  vehement — passionate, 
thanksgiving  to  God.  Alternately  praying,  weeping,  smiling, 
she  knelt  there,  now  and  then  re-reading  portions  of  the  letters, 
to  assure  herself  that  it  was  not  a  mere  blessed  dream,  and  at 
length  when  the  strain  relaxed,  she  dropped  her  head  on  a 
chair,  and  like  a  spent  feeble  child, — cried  heartily,  unrestrain 
edly. 


456    .  INFELICE. 

Mr.  Palma  wrote  that  after  years  of  fruitless  effort  he  had 
succeeded  in  obtaining  from  Peleg  Peterson,  a  full  retraction  of 
the  charges  made  against  her  name,  whereby  Gen.  Laurance 
had  prevented  a  suit  against  his  son.  Peterson  had  made  an  affi 
davit  of  certain  facts,  which  nobly  exonerated  her  from  the  heinous 
imputations,  with  which  she  was  threatened,  should  she  attempt 
legal  redress  for  her  wrongs,  and  which  proved  that  the  defence 
upon  which  Gen.  Laurance  relied,  was  the  result  of  perjury 
and  bribery. 

In  addition  to  the  recantation  of  Peterson,  Mr.  Palma  com 
municated  the  joyfuL  intelligence  that  Gerbert  Andre  who  was 
believed  to  have  been  lost  off  the  Labrador  coast  fifteen  years 
before,  had  been  discovered  in  Washington,  where  he  was  oc 
cupying  a  clerical  desk  in  one  of  the  departments  ;  and  that 
he  had  furnished  conclusive  testimony  as  a  witness  of  the  mar 
riage, — and-  a  friend*  of  Cuthbert  Laurance. 

The  lawyer  had  carefully  gathered  all  the  necessary  links  of 
evidence,  and  was  prepared  to  bring  suit  against  Cuthbert  Lau 
rance,  for  desertion  and  bigamy  ;  assuring  the  long  suffering  wife, 
that  her  name  and  life  would  be  nobly  vindicated. 

Within  his  letter,  was  one  addressed  to  Mrs.  Orme  by  Peleg 
Peterson,  and  a  portion  of  the  scrawl  was  heavily  underlined. 

"  For  all  that  I  have  revealed  to  Mr.  Palma,  and  solemnly 
sworn  to, — for  this  clearing  of  your  reputation,  you  may  thank 
your  child.  But  for  her,  I  should  never  have  declared  the  truth 
— would  have  gone  down  to  the  grave,  leaving  a  blot  upon  you  ; 
for  my  conscience  is  too  dead  to  trouble  me,  and  I  hate  you, 
Minnie  !  Hate  you  for  the  wreck  you  helped  to  make  of  me. 
But  that  girl's  white  angel  face  touched  me, — when  she  said, — 
(and  I  knew  she  meant  it,)  'If  I  find  from  mother  that  you  are 
indeed  my  father, — then  I  will  do  my  duty.  I  will  take  your 
hand, — I  will  own  you  my  father, — face  the  world's  contempt, 
and  we  will  bear  our  disgrace  together — as  best  we  may.'  She 
would  have  done  it — at  all  risk, — and  I  have  pitied  her.  It  is 
to  clear  her,  and  give  her  the  name  she  is  entitled  to,  that  at 
last  I  have  spoken  the  truth.  She  is  a  noble  brave  girl,  too 


INFELICE 


457 


good  for  you, — too  good  for  her  father  ; — far  too  good  to  own 
Rene  Laurance  for  her  grandfather.  When  he  sees  the  child 
he  paid  me  to  claim,  he  will  not  need  my  oath  to  satisfy  him, 
that  in  body,  she  is  every  inch  a  Laurance ;  but  where  she  got 
her  white  soul  God  only  knows — certainly  it  is  neither  Merle 
nor  Laurance.  You  owe  your  salvation  to  your  sweet,  brave 
child,  and  have  no  cause  to  thank  me,  for  I  shall  always  hate 
you." 

Had  some  ministering  Angel  removed  from  her  hand  the 
hemlock  of  that  loathsome  vengeance,  she  had  contemplated, 
and  substituted  the  nectar  of  hope  and  joy, — the  renewal  of  a 
life  unclouded  by  the  dread  of  disgrace  that  had  hung  over  her 
like  a  pall,  for  seventeen  years  ?  When  gathering  her  garments 
about  her  to  plunge  into  a  dark  gulf  replete  with  seething  hor 
ror,  a  strong  hand  had  lifted  her  away  from  the  fatal  ledge,  and 
she  heard  the  voice  of  her  youth  calling  her  to  the  almost  for 
gotten  vale  of  peace  ; — while  supreme  among  the  thronging 
visions  of  joy,  gleamed  the  fair  face  of  her  blue-eyed  daughter. 
Had  she  been  utterly  mad,  in  resolving"  to  stain  her  own  pure 
hand  by  the  touch  of  Rene  Laurance  ? 

In  the  light  of  retrospection  the  unnatural  and  monstrous 
deed  she  had  contemplated,  seemed  fraught  with  a  horror 
scarcely  inferior  to  that  which  lends  such  lurid  lustre  to  the 
"  CEdipus  ;  "  and  now  she  cowered  in  shame  and  loathing  as  she 
reilected  upon  all  that  she  had  deliberately  arranged  while  sit 
ting  upon  the  terrace  of  the  Villa  Reale.  Could  the  unbridled 
thirst  for  revenge,  have  dragged  her  on  into  a  monomania  that 
would  finally  have  ended  in  downright  madness  ?  Once  nom 
inally  the  wife  of  the  man  whom  she  so  thoroughly  abhorred, 
would  not  reason  have  fled  before  the  horrors  to  which  she 
linked  herself  ?  The  rebellious  bitterness  of  her  soul  melted 
away,  and  a  fervent  gratitude  to  Heaven — fell  like  dew  upon  her 
arid  stony  heart ;  waking  words  of  penitence  and  praise  to  which 
her  lips  had  long  been  strangers. 

Adversity  in  the  guise  of  human  injustice  and  wrong,  gener 
ally  indurates  and  embitters  ;  and  the  chastisements  that  chasten, 
20 


458  INFELICE. 

are  those  which  come  directly  from  the  hand  of  Him  "  who  doeth 
all  things  well." 

When  Mrs.  Waul  came  back,  Mrs.  Orme  was  still  kneeling, 
with  her  face  hidden  in  her  arms,  and  the  letters  lying  beside 
her.  Laying  her  wrinkled  hand  on  the  golden  hair,  the  faithful 
old  woman  asked  : 

"  Did  you  hear  from  your  baby  ?  " 

"  Oh  ! — I  have  good  news — that  will  make  me  happy  as  long 
as  I  live.  I  shall  soon  see  my  child — and  soon — very  soon — - 
all  will  be  clear.  Just  now  I  cannot  explain  ;  but  thank  God 
for  me  .that  these  letters  came  safely." 

She  rose,  put  back  her  hair,  and  rapidly  glanced  over  two 
other  letters,  then  walked  to  and  fro,  pondering  the  contents. 

"  Where  is  Mr.  Waul  ?  " 

"  Reading  the  papers  in  our  room." 

"  Ask  him  to  come  to  me  at  once." 

She  went  to  her  desk,  and  wrote  to  Gen.  Laurance  that  let 
ters  received  after  their  last  interview,  compelled  her  to  hasten 
iu  Paris,  whither  she  ha'd  been  recalled  by  a  summons  from  the 
manager  of  the  Theatre.  She  had  determined  in  accordance 
with  his  own  earnestly  expressed  wishes,  that  from  the  day  when 
the  world  knew  her  as  Mrs.  Laurance,  it  should  behold  her  no 
more  upon  the  stage  ;  consequently  she  would  hasten  the  ar 
rangements  for  the  presentation  of  her  own  play  "  Infelice" 
and  after  he  had  witnessed  her  rendition  of  the  new  role,  she 
would  confer  with  him  regarding  the  day  appointed  for  the 
celebration  of  their  marriage.  Until  then,  she  positively  de 
clined  seeing  him,  but  enclosed  a  tress  of  her  golden  hair, 
and  begged  to  hear  from  him  frequently ;  adding  directions  that 
would  insure  the  reception  of  his  letters.  Concluding  she 
signed  ; — "  Odille  Orme, — hoping  by  the  grace  of  God — soon 
to  subscribe  myself — Laurance." 

"  Mr.  Waul,  I  have  unexpectedly  altered  my  entire  pro 
gramme,  and  instead  of  going  to  Prestum,  must  start  at  once  to 
Paris.  This  fortunately, — is  Tuesday,  and  the  French  steamer 
sails  for  Marseilles  at  three  o'clock.  Go  down  at  once,  and 


INFELICE.  45  9 

arrange  for  our  passage,  and  be  careful  to  let  no  one  know  by 
what  route  I  leave  Naples.  On  your  way,  call  at  the  Telegraph 
Office  and  see  that  this  dispatch  is  forwarded  promptly  ;  and  do 
send  me  a  close  carriage  immediately.  I  wish  to  avoid  an  un 
pleasant  engagement,  and  shall  drive  to  Torre  del  Greco,  re 
turning  in  time  to  meet  you  at  the  steamer,  instead  of  at  this 
house.  See  that  the  baggage  leaves  here,  only  time  enough  to 
be  put  aboard  by  three  o'clock,  and  I  shall  not  fail  to  join  you 
there.  When  General  Laurance  calls,  Mrs.  Waul  will  instruct 
the  servant  to  hand  him  this  note,  with  the  information  that  I 
have  gone  for  a  farewell  drive  around  Naples." 

Hurriedly  completing  her  preparations,  she  entered  the  car 
riage,  and  was  soon  borne  along  the  incomparably  beautiful 
road  that  skirts  the  graceful  curves  of  the  Bay  of  Naples.  But 
the  glory  of  the  sky,  and  the  legendary  charms  of  the  pictur 
esque  scenery  that  surrounded  her,  appealed  in  vain  to  senses 
that  were  wrapped  in  the  light  of  other  days, — that  listened 
only  to  the  new  canticle  which  hope  long  dumb, — was  now  sing 
ing  through  all  the  sunny  chambers  of  her  heart. 

Returning  again  and  again,  to  the  perusal  of  the  letters,  to 
assure  herself  that  no  contingency  could  arise  to  defraud  her 
of  her  long  delayed  recognition,  she  felt  that  the  galling  load  of 
half  her  life,  had  suddenly  slipped  from  her  weary  shoulders ; 
and  the  world  and  the  future  wore  that  magic  radiance  which 
greeted  Miriam,  as  singing  she  looked  back  upon  the  destruction 
escaped,  and  on,  toward  the  redeemed  inheritance  awaiting  her. 

Reunion  with  her  child,  and  the  triumphant  establishment  of 
her  unsullied  parentage,  glowed  as  the  silver  stars  in  her  new 
sky ;  while  a  baleful  lurid  haze  surrounded  the  thought  of  that 
dire  punishment  she  was  enabled  to  inflict  upon  the  men,  who 
had  trampled  her  prayers  beneath  their  iron  heels. 

She  recalled  the  image  of  the  swarthy,  supercilious,  be-dia- 
monded  woman  who  sat  that  memorable  night  in  the  minister's 
box, — claiming  as  husband  the  listless  handsome  man  at  her 
side  ; — and  as  she  pictured  the  dismay  which  would  follow 
the  sudden  rending  of  the  name  of  Laurance  from  the 


460  INF  ELI  CE. 

banker's  daughter,  and  her  helpless  child, — Mrs.  Orme  laughed 
aloud. 

Slowly  the  day  wore  on,  and  Gen.  Laurance  failed  to  call  at 
the  appointed  hour,  to  arrange  the  preliminaries  of  his  mar 
riage.  His  servant  brought  a  note,  which  Mrs.  Orme  read 
when  she  reached  the  steamer,  informing  her  that  sudden  and 
severe  indisposition  confined  him  to  his  bed,  and  requesting  an 
interview  on  the  ensuing  morning.  Mrs.  Waul  had  received  the 
note,  and  dispatched  in  return  that  given  her  by  her  mistress. 

In  the  magical  glow  of  that  cloudless  golden  afternoon,  Mrs. 
Orme  saw  the  outlines  of  St.  Elmo  fade  away,  Capri  vanish  like 
a  purple  mist, — Ischia  and  Procida  melt  insensibly  into  the 
blue  of  the  marvellous  bay; — and  watching  the  spark  which 
trembled  on  the  distant  summit  of  Vesuvius,  like  the  dying  eye 
of  that  cruel  destiny  from  which  she  fled, — the  rescued  happy 
woman  exulted  in  the  belief  that  she  was  at  last  sailing  through 
serene  seas. 

Dreaming  of  her  child,  whose  pure  image  hovered  in  the 
mirage  hope  wove  before  her — 

"  She  seemed  all  earthly  matters  to  forget, 
Of  all  tormenting  lines  her  face  was  clear, 
Her  wide  brown  eyes  upon  the  goal  were  set, 
Calm  and  unmoved  as  though  no  foe  were  near." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

JINCE  the  memorable  day  of  Regina's  visit  to  Central 
Park,  many  weeks  had  elapsed,  and  one  wild  stormy 
evening  in  March,  she  sat  at  the  library  table  writing 
her  translation  of  a  portion  of  "  Egmont." 

The  storm,  now  of  sleet,  now  of  snow  darkened  the  air,  and 
the  globes  of  the  chandelier  representing  Pompeian  lamps  were 
lighted  above  the  oval  table,  shedding  a  bright  yet  mellow  glow 
over  the  warm  quiet  room. 


INFELICE.  461 

Upon  a  bronze  console  stood  a  terra-cotta  jar  containing  a 
white  azalea  in  full  bloom,  and  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers 
breathed  like  a  benediction  on  the  atmosphere  ;  while  in  the 
tall  glass  beneath  Mrs.  Orme's  portrait  two  half-blown  snowy 
camellias  nestled  amid  a  fringe  of  geranium  leaves. 

Close  to  the  fire,  with  her  feet  upon  a  Persian  patterned 
cushion,  Olga  reclined  in  the  luxurious  easy-chair  that  belonged 
to  Mr.  Palma's  writing  desk,  and  open  on  her  lap  lay  a 
volume  entitled  the  "  Service  of  the  Poor"  The  former  bril 
liancy  of  her  complexion  seemed  to  have  forsaken  her  forever, 
banished  by  a  settled  sallowness  ;  and  she  looked  thin,  feeble, 
dejected,  passing  her  fingers  abstractedly  through  the  short  curl 
ing  ruddy  hair  that  clustered  around  her  forehead,  and  upon  her 
neck. 

As  if  weary  of  the  thoughts  suggested  by  her  book,  she 
turned  and  looked  at  the  figure  writing  under  the  chandelier, 
and  by  degrees  she  realized  the  change  in  the  countenance, 
which  three  months  before,  had  been  pure,  serene,  and  bright 
as  a  moonbeam. 

The  keen  and  prolonged  anguish  which  Regina  had  endured, 
left  its  shadow,  faint,  vague,  but  unmistakable ;  and  in  the  eyes 
lay  gloom,  and  around  the  mouth  patient  yet  melancholy  lines, 
which  hinted  of  a  bitter  struggle  in  which  the  calm-hearted  girl 
died,  and  the  wiser,  sadder  woman  was  born. 

Her  grief  had  been  silent  but  deep,  for  the  loss  of  the  dear 
friend  who  symbolized  for  her,  all  that  was  noble,  heroic  and 
godly  in  human  nature ;  and  her  suffering  was  not  assuaged  by 
letters  from  Mrs.  Lindsay,  furnishing  the  sorrowful  details  of  the 
last  illness  of  the  minister,  and  the  dying  words  of  tender  devo 
tion  to  the  young  girl  whom  he  believed  his  betrothed  bride. 

Over  these  harrowing  letters  she  had  wept  long  and  bitterly, 
accusing  herself  continually  of  her  unworthiness  in  allowing 
another  image  to  usurp  the  throne  where  the  missionary  should 
have  reigned  supreme ;  and  the  only  consolation  afforded,  was 
in  the  reflection  that  Douglass  had  died  believing  her  faithful, — 
happy  in  the  perfect  trust  reposed  in  her.  He  had  been  buried 


462  INFELICZ. 

on  a  sunny  slope  of  the  Cemetery  not  far  from  the  blue  waves 
of  the  Pacific,  and  his  mother  remained  in  San  Francisco — 
with  her  sister,  in  whose  house  Mr.  Lindsay  had  quietly 
breathed  his  life  away ;  dying  as  he  had  lived,  full  of  hope  in 
Christ,  and  trust  in  God. 

Mrs.  Palma  and  Olga  only  knew  that  Regina  had  lost  a  dear 
friend,  whom  she  had  not  seen  for  years,  and  none  but  her 
guardian  understood  the  nature  of  the  sacred  tie  that  bound 
them. 

Day  and  night  she  was  haunted  by  memories  of  the  kind 
face  never  more  to  be  seen  this  side  of  the  City  of  Peace,  and 
when  at  length  she  received  a  photograph  taken  after  death,  in 
which  wan  and  emaciated,  he  seemed  sleeping  soundly,  she  felt 
that  her  life  could  never  again  be  quite  the  same, — and  that 
the  gray  shadowy  wings  of  Regret  drooped  low  over  her  future 
pathway. 

Accompanying  the  photograph,  was  a  brief  yet  loving  note 
written  by  Mr.  Lindsay  the  evening  before  his  death  ;  and  to  it 
were  appended  the  lines  from  "Jacqueline  :  " 

"  Nor  shall  I  leave  thee  wholly.     I  shall  be— 
An  evening  thought, — a  morning  dream  to  thee, — 
A  silence  in  thy  life,  when  through  the  night, 
The  bell  strikes,  or  the  sun  with  sinking  light, 
Smites  all  the  empty  windows.     As  there  sprout 
Daisies,  and  dimpling  tufts  of  violets,  out 
Among  the  grass  where  some  corpse  lies  asleep, 
So  round  thy  life,  where  I  lie  buried  deep, 
A  thousand  little  tender  thoughts  shall  spring, 
A  thousand  gentle  memories  wind  and  cling." 

As  if  the  opal  were  a  talisman  against  the  revival  of  reflec 
tions  that  seemed  an  insult  to  the  dead,  Regina  wore  the  ring 
constantly ;  and  whenever  a  thrill  warned  her  of  the  old  mad 
ness,  her  right  hand  caressed  the  jewels, — seeking  from  their 
touch  a  renewal  of  strength. 

Studiously  she  manoeuvred  to  avoid  even  casual  meetings 
with  her  guardian,  and  except  at  the  table,  and  in  the  presence 


INFELICE.  463 

of  the  family  she  had  not  seen  him  for  several  weeks.  Business 
engagements  occupied  him  very  closely  ;  he  was  called  away  to 
Albany,  to  Boston,  and  once  to  Philadelphia,  but  no  farewells 
were  exchanged  with  his  ward,  and  as  if  conscious  of  her 
sedulous  efforts  to  avoid  him,  he  appeared  almost  to  ignore  her 
presence. 

During  these  sad  days,  the  girl  made  no  attempt  to  analyze 
the  estrangement  which  she  felt  was  hourly  increasing  between 
them.  She  presumed  he  disapproved  of  her  resolution  to  ac 
cept  Mr.  Lindsay,  because  he  was  poor,  and  offered  no  brilliant 
worldly  advantages,  such  as  her  guardian  had  been  trained  to 
regard  as  paramount  inducements  in  the  grave  matter  of 
marriage  ; — and  secluding  herself  as  much  as  possible,  she 
fought  her  battle  with  grief  and  remorse  as  best  she  might,  un 
aided  by  sympathy.  If  she  could  only  escape  from  that  house, 
with  her  secret  undiscovered,  she  thought  that  in  time  she 
would  crush  her  folly  and  reinstate  herself  in  her  own  respect. 

After  several  interviews  with  Mr.  Palm  a,  the  details  of  which 
Olga  communicated  to  no  one,  she  had  consented  to  hold  her 
scheme  of  the  "  Sisterhood"  in  abeyance,  for  twelve  months, 
and  to  accompany  her  mother  to  Europe,  whither  she  had 
formerly  been  eager  to  travel ;  and  Mrs.  Palma  in  accordance 
with  instructions  from  her  step-son,  had  perfected  her  prepara 
tions,  so  as  to  be  able  to  leave  New  York  at  a  day's  notice. 

Mrs.  Carew  had  returned  to  the  city,  and  now  and  then  Mr. 
Palma  mentioned  her  name,  and  delivered  messages  from  her 
to  his  step-mother  ;  but  Olga  abstained  from  her  old  badinage, 
and  Regina  imagined  that  her  forbearance  sprang  from  a  knowl 
edge  of  the  engagement  which  she  supposed  must  exist  be 
tween  them.  She  could  not  hear  her  name  without  a  shiver  of 
pain,  and  longed  to  get  away  before  the  affair  assumed  a  suf 
ficiently  decided  form,  to  compel  her  to  notice  and  discuss  it. 
To-day  after  watching  her  for  some  time,  Olga  said  : 

"You  are  weary,  and  pale  almost  to  ghastliness.  Put  away 
your  books,  and  come  talk  to  me." 

Regina  sighed,  laid  down  her  pen,  and  came  to  the  fireplace. 


464  INFELICE. 

11 1  thought  you  promised  to  go  very  early  to  Mrs.  St.  Clare's 
and  assist  Valeria  in  arranging  her  bridal  veil?" 

"  So  I  did,  and  it  will  soon  be  time  for  me  to  dress.  How  I 
dislike  to  go  back  into  the  gay  world,  where  I  have  frisked  so 
recklessly  and  so  long.  Do  you  know  I  long  for  the  hour  when 
I  shall  end  this  masquerade,  and  exchange  silks  and  lace  and 
jewelry  for  coarse  blue  gown,  blue  apron  and  white  cap  ?  " 

"  Do  you  imagine  the  color  of  your  garments  will  change  the 
complexion  of  your  heart  and  mind  ?  You  remind  me  of 
Alexander's  comment  upon  Antipater  :  '  Outwardly  Antipater 
wears  only  white  clothes,  but  within  he  is  all  purple.'  " 

"  Ah  !  but  my  purple  pride  has  been  utterly  dethroned,  and 
it  seems  to  me  now,  that  when  I  find  rest  in  cloistered  duties, 
the  quiet  sacred  seclusion  will  prove  in  some  degree  like  the 
well  Zem-Zew,  in  which  Gabriel  washed  Mohammed's  heart, — 
filled  it  with  faith, — and  restored  it  to  his  bosom.  Until  I  am 
housed  safely  from  the  roar,  and  gibes,  and  mockery  of  the 
world,  I  shall  not  grow  better; — for  here 

'  God  sends  me  back  my  prayers,  as  a  father 
Returns  unoped  the  letters  of  a  son — r 
Who  has  dishonored  him.'  " 

"  To  conquer  the  world,  is  nobler  than  to  shun  it,  and  to  & 
nature  such  as  yours  Olga,  other  lines  in  that  poem  ought  to  ap 
peal  with  peculiar  force  : — 

'  If  thy  rich  heart  is  like  a  palace  shattered, 
Stand  up  amid  the  ruins  of  thy  heart, 
And  with  a  calm  brow  front  the  solemn  stars — 
A  brave  soul  is  a  thing  which  all  things  serve.' 

The  scheme  which  you  are  revolving  now,  is  one  utterly  antago 
nistic  to  the  wishes  of  your  mother, — and  God  would  not  bless 
a  step  which  involved  the  sacrifice  of  your  duty  to  her." 

"  After  a  time,  mamma  will  approve, — till  then  [  shall  be 
patient.  She  has  consented  for  me  to  go  to  the  Mother  House 
at  Kaiserswerth,  and  to  some  of  the  Deaconess  establishments 
in  Paris  and  Dresden  ;  in  order  that  I  may  become  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  the  esoteric  working  of  the  system.  I  am 


INFELICE.  465 

anxious  also  to  visit  the  institution  for  training  Nurses  at  Liver 
pool, — and  unless  we  sail  directly  for  Havre,  we  shall  soon  have 
an  opportunity  of  gratifying  my  wishes." 

Regina  took  the  book  from  her  hand,  turned  over  the  leeves, 
and  read : 

"  *  All  probationers  must  be  unbetrothed,  and  their  heart  still 
free.'  .  .  .  .  '  A  short  life  history  of  the  previous  inward 
and  outward  experiences  of  the  future  Deaconess  pupil.  It 
must  be  composed  and  written  by  herself.'  Olga  what  would 
you  do  with  your  past  ?  " 

"  I  have  buried  it,  dear.  All  the  love  of  which  I  was  capable 
I  poured  out, — nay — I  crushed  the  heart  that  held  it ; — as  the 
Syrian  woman  broke  the  precious  box  of  costly  ointment,  anoint 
ing  the  feet  of  her  God  !  When  my  clay  idol  fell  I  could  not 
gather  back  the  wasted  trust  and  affection,  and  so,  all — all  is 
sepulchred  in  one  deep  grave.  I  have  spent  my  wealth  of 
spicery ;  the  days  of  my  anointing  are  forever  ended.  To  true 
deep-hearted  women  it  is  given  to  love  once  only,  and  all  such 
scorn  to  set  a  second,  lesser,  lower  idol,  where  formerly  they 
bowed  in  worship.  Even  false  gods  hold  sway,  long  after  their 
images  are  denied,  their  temples  overthrown,  and  as  the 
Dodonian  Groves  still  whisper  of  the  old  oracular  days, — to 
modern  travellers, — so  a  woman's  idolatry  leaves  her  no  shrine, 
no  libation,  no  reverence  for  new  divinities  ; — mutilated  though 
she  acknowledges  her  Hermae, — no  fresh  image  can  profane 
their  pedestal.  Memory  is  the  high  priestess  who  survives  the 
wreck  of  altars  and  of  gods, — and  faithfully  ministers,  amid 
the  gloom  of  the  soul's  catacombs.  I  owe  much  to  mamma, 
and  something  to  Erie  Palma,  who  is  a  nobler  man  than  I  have 
deemed  him,  less  a  bronze  Macchiavelli, — with  a  heart  of  quartz ; 
and  I  shall  never  again  as  heretofore,  rashly  defy  their  advice 
and  wishes.  But  I  know  myself  too  well,  to  hope  for  happiness 
in  the  gay  frivolous,  insincere  world,  where  I  have  fluttered  out 
my  butterfly  existence  of  fashionable  emptiness. 

*  I  kissed  the  painted  bloom  off  Pleasure's  lips 
And  found  them  pale  as  Pain's.' 
20* 


466  INFELICE. 

I  have  bruised  and  singed  my  Psyche  wings,  and  le  beau  monde 
has  no  new,  strong  pinions  to  replace  those  beat  out  in  its  hard 
tyrannous  service.  You  think  me  cynical  and  misanthropic, 
but  dear  I  believe  I  am  only  clear-eyed  at  last.  If  I  had 
married  him,  for  whom  I  dared  so  much,  and  found  too  late, 
that  all  the  golden  qualities  I  fondly  dreamed  that  he  possessed, 
were  only  baser  metal,— gaudy  tinsel  that  tarnished  in  my  grasp, 
— I  am  afraid  it  would  have  maddened  me — beyond  hope  of 
reclamation.  I  have  made  shipwreck ;  but  a  yet  sadder  fate 
might  have  overtaken  me,  and  at  least  my  soul  has  outridden 
the  storm, — thanks  to  your  frail  babyish  hands,  so  desperately 
strong  when  they  grappled  that  awful  night  with  suicidal  sin. 
Few  women  have  suffered  more  keenly  than  I, — and  yet  in 
Muriel's  sweet  patient  words  : — 

'  God  has  been  good  to  me  ;  you  must  not  think, 
That  I  despair.      There  is  a  quiet  time 
Like  evening  in  my  soul.     I  have  no  heart.'  " 

There  was  more  peace  in  Olga's  countenance  as  she  clasped 
one  of  Regina's  hands  in  hers,  than  her  companion  had  yet 
seen,  and  after  a  moment,  she  continued : 

"  You  know  dear,  that  we  are  only  waiting  for  Congress  to 
adjourn,  in  order  to  have  Mr.  Chesley's  escort  across  the 
ocean,  and  he  will  arrive  to-morrow.  Erie  Palma  is  exceed 
ingly  anxious  that  you  should  accompany  us,  and  I  trust  your 
mother  will  sanction  this  arrangement,  for  I  should  grieve  to 
leave  you  here.  Perhaps  you  are  not  aware  that  your  guardian 
has  recently  sold  this  house,  and  intends  purchasing  one  on 
Murray  Hill." 

"Mr.  Palma  cannot  possibly  desire  my  departure  half  so 
earnestly  as  I  do,  and  if  I  am  not  summoned  to  join  my 
mother,  I  shall  insist  upon  returning  to  the  convent,  whence 
he  took  me  seven  years  ago.  There  I  can  continue  my  studies, 
and  there,  I  prefer  to  remain  until  I  can  be  restored  to  my 
mother.  Olga — how  soon  will  Mr.  Palma  be  married?" 

"  1   do  not  know.     Pie  communicates  his  plans  to  no  one, 


INF E  LICE.  467 

but  I  may  safely  say,  if  he  consulted  merely  his  own  wishes,  it 
would  not  be  long  delayed.  Until  quite  recently,  I  did  not 
bilieve  it  possible  that  man's  cold,  proud,  ambitious,  stony 
heart  would  bow  before  any  woman,  but  human  nature  is  a 
riddle  which  baffles  us  all — sometimes.  I  must  dress  for  the 
wedding,  and  mamma  will  scold  me  if  I  am  late.  Kiss  me 
dear  child.  Ah  velvet  violet  eyes  !  if  I  find  a  resting  place  in 
heaven,  I  shall  always  want  even  there,  to  hover  near  you." 

She  kissed  the  girl's  colorless  cheek,  and  left  her;  and  when 
the  carriage  bore  Olga  and  her  mother  to  Mrs.  St.  Clare's, 
Regina  retreated  to  her  own  room,  dreading  lest  her  guardian 
should  return  and  find  her  in  the  library. 

At  breakfast  he  had  mentioned  that  he  would  dine  at  his 
club,  in  honor  of  some  eminent  Judge  from  a  distant  State,  to 
whom  the  members  of  the  "Century"  had  tendered  a  dinner, 
but  she  endeavored  to  avoid  even  the  possibility  of  meeting 
him  alone.  Had  she  been  less  merciless  in  her  self-denuncia 
tion,  his  avowed  impatience  to  send  her  to  her  mother,  might 
have  piqued  her  pride ;  but  it  only  increased  her  scorn  of  her 
own  fatal  folly,  and  intensified  her  desire  to  leave  his  presence. 
Was  it  to  gratify  Mrs.  Carew's  extravagant  taste,  that  he  had 
sold  this  elegant  house,  and  designed  the  purchase  of  one  yet 
more  costly? 

In  the  midst  of  her  heart-ache  she  derived  some  satisfaction 
from  the  reflection,  that  at  least  Mr.  Palma's  wife  would  never 
profane  the  beautiful  library,  where  his  ward  had  spent  so  many 
happy  days,  and  which  was  indissolubly  linked  with  sacred 
memories  of  its  master.  Unwilling  to  indulge  a  reverie  so 
fraught  with  pain  and  humiliation,  she  returned  to  her  "  Eg- 
mont,"  resuming  her  translation  of  a  speech  by  "  Clarchen." 
Ere  long  Hattie  knocked  at  the  door : 

"  Mr.  Palma  says — please  to  come  down  to  the  library ;  he' 
wishes  to  speak  to  you." 

"  Ask  him  if  he  will  not  be  so  kind  as  to  wait  till  morning  ? 
Say  I  shall  feel  very  much  obliged  if  he  will  excuse  me  to 
night." 


468  INFELICE. 

In  a  few  minutes  she  returned : 

"  He  is  sorry  he  must  trouble  you  to  come  down  this  even 
ing,  as  he  leaves  home  to-morrow." 

"  Very  well." 

She  went  to  the  drawer  that  contained  all  her  souvenirs  of 
Mr.  Lindsay,  and  lingered  some  minutes,  looking  sorrowfully 
at  the  photograph ;  then  pressed  her  lips  to  the  melancholy 
image,  and  as  if  strengthened  by  communion  with  the  dead 
face,  went  down  to  the  library. 

Mr.  Palma  was  walking  slowly  up  and  down  the  long  room, 
and  had  paused  in  front  of  the  snowy  azalea.  As  she  ap 
proached,  he  put  out  his  hand,  and  took  hers,  for  the  first  time 
since  they  had  sat  together  in  the  Park. 

"  How  deliciously  this  perfumes  the  room,  and  it  must  be 
yours,  for  no  other  member  of  the  household  cares  for  flowers, 
and  I  see  a  cluster  of  the  same  blossoms  in  your  hair." 

"  I  had  forgotten  that  Olga  fastened  them  there  this  after 
noon.  I  bought  it  from  the  greenhouse  in Street,  where 

I  often  get  bouquets  to  place  under  mother's  picture.  Azaleas 
were  Mr.  Lindsay's  favorite  flowers,  and  that  fact  tempted  me 
to  make  the  purchase.  We  had  just  such  a  one  as  this,  at  the 
Parsonage,  and  on  his  birthday,  we  covered  the  pot  with  white 
cambric, — fringed  the  edge  with  violets,  and  set  it  in  the  centre 
of  the  breakfast  table ; — and  the  bees  came  in  and  swung  over  it." 

She  had  withdrawn  her  hand,  and  folding  her  fingers,  leaned 
her  face  on  them,  a  position  which  she  often  assumed  when 
troubled.  Her  left  hand  was  uppermost,  and  the  opal  and  dia 
monds  seemed  pressed  against  her  lips,  though  she  was  uncon 
scious  of  their  close  proximity.  Mr.  Palma  broke  off  a  cluster 
of  three  half-expanded  flowers,  twisted  the  stem  into  the  but 
ton-hole  of  his  coat,  and  answered  coldly : 

11  Flowers  are  always  associated  in  my  mind,  with  early  recol 
lections  of  my  mother,  who  had  her  own  greenhouse  and  con 
servatories.  They  appear  to  link  you  with  the  home  of  your 
former  guardian,  and  the  days  that  were  happier,  than  those 
you  spend  here." 


INFELICE.  469 

"  That  dear  Parsonage  was  my  happiest  home,  and  I  shall 
always  cherish  its  precious  memories." 

"Happier  than  a  residence  under  my  roof  has  been?  Be  so 
good  as  to  look  at  me  ;  it  is  the  merest  courtesy  to  do  so,  when 
one  is  being  spoken  to." 

"  Pardon  me  Sir,  I  was  not  instituting  a  comparison ;  and 
while  I  am  grateful  for  the  kindness  and  considerate  hospitality 
shown  me  by  all  in  this  pleasant  house,  it  has  never  seemed  to 
me  quite  the  home, — that  I  found  the  dear  old  Parsonage." 

"Because  you  prefer  country  to  city  life?  Love  to  fondle 
white  rabbits,  and  pigeons,  and  stand  ankle  deep  in  clover 
blooms?" 

"  I  daresay  that  is  one  reason ;  for  my  tastes  are  certainly 
very  childish  still." 

"  Then  of  course  you  regret  the  necessity  which  brought  you 
to  reside  here  ?  " 

He  bent  an  unusually  keen  look  upon  her,  but  she  quietly 
met  his  eyes,  and  answered  without  hesitation  : 

"  You  must  forgive  me  Sir,  if  your  questions  compel  me  to 
sacrifice  courtesy  to  candor.  I  do  regret  that  I  ever  came  to 
live  in  this  city ;  and  I  believe  it  would  have  been  better  for 

me,  if  I  had  remained  at  V with  Mr.  Hargrove  and  the 

Lindsays." 

"You  mean  that  you  would  have  been  happier  with  them, 
than  with  me  ?  " 

As  she  thought  of  the  keen  suffering  her  love  for  him  had  en 
tailed  upon  her, — of  the  dreary  days  and  sleepless  nights  she 
had  recently  passed  in  that  elegant  luxurious  home,  her  eyes 
deepened  in  tint, — saddened  in  expression,  and  she  said  : 

"You  have  been  very  kind  and  generous  to  me,  and  I  grate 
fully  appreciate  all  you  have  done,  but  if  you  insist  on  an  an 
swer,  I  must  confess  I  was  happier  two  years  ago,  than  I  am 
now." 

"  Thank  you.  The  truth  no  matter  how  unflattering,  is  always 
far  more  agreeable  to  me  than  equivocation,  or  disingenuous- 
ness.  Does  my  ward  believe  that  it  will  conduce  to  her 


470  INFELICE. 

future  happiness  to  leave  my  roof,  and  find  a  residence  else 
where  ?  " 

"  I  know  I  should  be  happier  with  my  mother." 

"  Then  I  congratulate  myself  as  the  bearer  of  delightful  tid 
ings.  Regina  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  relieve  you  from  your 
present  disagreeable  surroundings,  by  informing  you  of  the  tele 
gram  received  to-day  by  Cable  from  your  mother.  It  was  dated 
two  days  ago  at  Naples,  and  is  as  follows :  '  Send  Regina  to 
me  by  the  first  steamer  to  Havre.  I  will  meet  her  in  Paris.' " 

Involuntarily  the  girl  exclaimed  : 

"  Thank  God  ! " 

The  joyful  expression  of  her  countenance  rendered  it  impos 
sible  to  doubt  the  genuineness  of  her  satisfaction  at  the  intelli 
gence  ;  and  though  Mr.  Palma  kept  close  guard  over  his  own 
features,  lest  they  should  betray  his  emotion,  an  increasing  pale 
ness  attested  the  depth  of  his  feelings. 

"  How  soon  can  I  go  ?" 

"  In  two  days  a  steamer  sails  for  Havre,  and  I  have  already 
engaged  passage  for  you.  Doubtless  you  are  aware  that  Mrs. 
Palma  and  Olga  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  start  at  any 
hour,  and  your  friend  and  admirer  Mr.  Chesley  will  go  over  in 
the  same  steamer ;  consequently  with  so  chivalrous  an  escort, 
you  cannot  fail  to  have  a  pleasant  voyage.  Since  you  are  so 
anxious  to  escape  from  my  guardianship,  I  may  be  pardoned  for 
emulating  your  frankness,  and  acknowledging  that  I  am  heartily 
glad  you  will  soon  cease  to  be  my  ward.  Mr.  Chesley  is  ambi 
tious  of  succeeding  to  my  authority,  and  I  have  relinquished  my 
claim  as  guardian,  and  referred  him  to  your  mother,  to  whose 
hands  I  joyfully  resign  you.  A  residence  in  Europe  will  I  hope, 
soon  obliterate  the  unpleasant  associations  connected  with  my 
house." 

"  A  lifetime  would  never  obliterate  the  memory  of  all  your 
kindness  to  me,  or  of  some  hours  I  have  passed  in  this  beautiful 
library.  For  all  you  have  done,  I  now  desire,  Mr.  Palma,  to 
thank  you  most  sincerely." 

She  looked  up  at  the  grave,  composed  face,  so  handsome  in 


TNFELICE.  471 

its  regular,  high-bred  outlines,  and  her  mouth  trembled,  while 
her  deep  eyes  grew  misty. 

"  I  desire  no  thanks  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  my  duty  as 
a  guardian  :  my  conscience  acquits  me  fully,  and  that  is  the  re 
ward  I  value  most.  If  you  really  indulge  any  grateful  senti 
ments,  on  the  eve  of  your  departure,  oblige  me  by  singing 
something.  I  bought  that  organ,  hoping  that  now  and  then 
when  my  business  permitted  me  to  spend  a  quiet  evening  at 
home,  I  might  enjoy  your  music  ;  but  you  sedulously  avoid 
touching  it  when  I  am  present.  This  is  the  last  opportunity 
you  will  have,  for  I  must  meet  Mr.  Chesley  at  noon  to-morrow 
in  Baltimore,  and  thence  I  go  on  to  Cincinnati,  where  I  shall 
be  detained,  until  the  steamer  has  sailed.  After  to-night,  I 
shall  not  see  my  ward  again." 

They  were  standing  near  the  azalea,  and  Regina  suddenly 
put  her  hand  on  the  back  of  a  chair.  To  see  him  no  more  af 
ter  this  evening, — to  know  that  the  broad  ocean  rolled  between, 
• — that  she  might  never  again  look  upon  the  face  that  was  so 
inexpressibly  dear ; — all  this  swept  over  her  like  a  bitter  mur 
derous  wave,  drowning  the  sweetness  of  her  life,  and  she  clung 
to  the  chair. 

She  was  not  prepared  for  this  sudden  separation,  but  though 
his  eyes  were  riveted  upon  her,  she  bore  it  bravely.  A  faint 
numb  sensation  stole  over  her,  and  a  dark  shadow  seemed  to 
float  through  the  room,  yet  her  low  voice  was  steady,  when  she 
said : 

"  I  am  sorry  I  disappointed  any  pleasant  anticipations  you 
indulged  with  reference  to  the  organ ;  which  has  certainly  been 
a  source  of  much  comfort  to  me.  I  have  felt  very  timid  about 
singing  before  you,  Sir,  but  if  it  will  afford  you  the  least  pleas 
ure,  I  am  willing  to  do  the  best,  of  which  I  am  capable." 

"  You  sang  quite  successfully  before  a  large  audience  at  Mrs. 
Brompton's,  and  displayed  sufficient  self-possession." 

"  But  those  were  strangers, — and  the  opinion  of  those  with 
whom  we  live,  is  more  important,  their  criticism  is  more  embar- 
mssing." 


472  INFELICE. 

"  I  believe  I  was  present,  and  heard  you  on  that  occasion." 

She  moved  away  to  the  organ,  and  sat  down, — glad  of  an 
excuse,  for  her  limbs  trembled. 

"  Regina  what  was  that  song  you  sang  for  little  Llora  Carew 
the  night  before  she  left  us  ?  Indeed  there  were  two,  one  with, 
the  other  without  an  accompaniment  ?  " 

"  You  were  not  here  at  that  time." 

"  No  matter ;  what  were  they  ?  The  child  fancies  them  ex 
ceedingly,  and  I  promised  to  get  the  words  for  her." 

"Kiicken's  <  Schlummerlied,'  and  a  little  'Cradle  Song'  by 
Wallace." 

"  Be  so  good  as  to  let  me  hear  them." 

Would  Mrs.  Carew  sing  them  for  him,  when  she  was  far  away, 
utterly  forgotten  by  her  guardian  ?  The  thought  was  unutter 
ably  bitter,  and  it  goaded  her,  aided  her  in  the  ordeal. 

With  nerves  strung  to  their  extreme  tension,  she  sang  as  he 
requested,  and  all  the  while  her  rich  mellow  voice  rolled 
through  the  room,  he  walked  very  slowly  from  one  end  of  the 
library,  to  the  other.  She  forced  herself  to  sing  every  verse, 
and  when  she  concluded,  he  was  standing  behind  her  chair. 
He  put  his  hands  on  her  shoulders,  and  prevented  her  rising, 
for  just  then  he  was  unwilling  she  should  see  his  countenance, 
which  he  feared  would  betray  the  suffering  he  was  resolved  to 
conceal. 

After  a  moment,  he  said  : 

"  Thank  you.  I  shall  buy  the  music  in  order  to  secure  the 
words.  Lily  " 

He  paused,  bent  down  and  rested  his  chin  on  the  large  coil 
of  hair  at  the  back  of  her  head — and  though  she  never  knew  it 
his  proud  lips  touched  the  glossy  silken  mass. 

"  Lily  if  I  ask  a  foolish  trifle  of  you,  will  you  grant  it,  as  a 
farewell  gift  to  your  guardian  ?  " 

"  I  think  Sir,  you  do  not  doubt  that  I  will." 

"  It  is  a  trivial  thing,  and  will  cost  you  nothing.  The  night 
on  which  you  sang  those  songs  to  Llora, — is  associated  with 
something  which  I  treasure  as  peculiarly  precious  ;  and  I  nii-r<  ly 


INFELICE.  473 

wish  to  request  that  you  will  never  sing  them  again  for  any  one, 
unless  I  give  you  permission." 

Swiftly  she  recalled  the  fact  that  on  that  particular  evening 
he  had  escorted  Mrs.  Carew  to  a  "  German"  at  Mrs.  Quimby's, 
and  she  explained  his  request  by  the  supposition  that  her  songs 
to  Mrs.  Carew's  child,  commemorated  the  date  of  his  betrothal 
to  the  gray-eyed  mother.  Could  she  bear  even  to  think  of  them 
in  coming  years  ? 

She  hastily  pushed  back  the  ivory  stops,  and  shaking  off  his 
detaining  palms,  rose  : 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  do  something  of  more  importance 
to  oblige  my  kind  guardian ;  for  this  trifle  involves  not  the 
slightest  sacrifice  of  feeling,  and  I  would  gladly  improve  a  better 
opportunity  of  attesting  my  gratitude.  You  may  rest  assured 
I  shall  never  sing  those  words  again,  under  any  circumstances. 
Do  not  buy  the  music, — I  will  leave  my  copies  for  Llora,  and 
you  and  her  mother  can  easily  teach  her  the  words." 

"  Thanks  !  You  will  please  place  the  music  on  the  organ, 
and  when  I  come  back  from  Cincinnati  it  will  remind  me.  I 
hope  your  mother  will  be  pleased  with  your  progress  in  French, 
German,  and  music.  Your  teachers  furnish  very  flattering  re 
ports,  and  I  have  enclosed  them  with  some  receipts,  bills,  and 
other  valuable  papers  in  this  large  sealed  envelope,  which  you 
must  give  to  your  mother  as  soon  as  you  see  her." 

He  went  to  his  desk,  took  out  the  package  and  handed  it  to 
her.  Seating  himself  at  the  table  where  she  generally  wrote 
and  studied,  he  pointed  to  a  chair  on  the  opposite  side,  and 
mechanically  she  sat  down. 

"  Perhaps  you  may  recollect  that  some  months  ago,  Mrs. 
Orme  wrote  me  she  was  particularly  desirous  you  should  be 
trained  to  read  well.  It  is  a  graceful  accomplishment,  espe 
cially  for  a  lady,  and  I  ordered  a  professor  of  Elocution  to  give 
you  instruction  twice  a  week.  I  hope  you  have  derived  bene 
fit  from  his  tuition,  as  he  has  fitted  one  or  two  professional 
readers  for  the  stage,  and  I  should  dislike  to  have  your  mother 
feel  disappointed  in  any  of  your  attainments.  Now  that  I  am 


474  INF  ELI  CE. 

called  upon  to  render  an  account  of  my  stewardship,  I  trust 
you  will  pardon  me,  if  I  examine  you  a  little.  Here  is  Jean 
Ingelow,  close  at  hand,  and  I  must  trouble  you  to  allow  me  an 
opportunity  of  testing  your  proficiency." 

The  book  which  she  had  been  reading  that  day,  lay  on  the 
table,  and  taking  it  up,  he  leisurely  turned  over  the  leaves.  A 
premonitory  dread  seized  her,  and  she  wrung  her  hands,  which 
were  lying  cold  in  her  lap. 

"  Ah  ! — here  is  your  mark  ;  three  purple  pansies,  crushed  in 
the  middle  of  '  Divided,' — staining  the  delicate  cream-tinted 
paper  with  their  dark  blood.  Probably  you  are  familiar  with 
this  poem,  consequently  can  interpret  it  for  me  without  any 
great  effort.  Commence  at  the  first,  and  let  me  see  what 
value  Professor Chrysostom's  training  possesses.  Not  too  fast; 
recollect  Pegasus  belongs  to  poets, — never  to  readers." 

He  leaned  across  the  marble  table,  and  placed  the  open  book 
before  her. 

Did  he  intentionally  torture  her  ?  With  those  bright  eyes 
reading  her  unwomanly  and  foolish  heart, — was  he  amusing 
himself,  as  an  entomologist  impales  a  feeble  worm,  and  from 
its  writhing  deduces  the  exact  character  of  its  nervous  and 
muscular  anatomy  ? 

The  thought  struck  her  more  severely  than  the  stroke  of  a 
lash  would  have  done,  and  turning  the  page  to  the  light,  she 
said  quickly : 

"  '  Divided'  is  not  at  all  dramatic,  and  as  an  exercise,  is  not 
comparable  to  *  High  Tide  on  the  Coast  of  Lincolnshire,'or 
'Songs  of  Seven,' — or  even  that  most  exquisite  of  all, — 
'  Afternoon  at  a  Parsonage.'  " 

"  Try  <  Divided:  " 

She  dared  not  refuse,  lest  he  should  despise  her  utterly, — in 
terpreting  correctly  her  reluctance.  For  an  instant  the  print 
danced  before  her,  but  the  spirit  of  defiance  was  fast  mastering 
her  trepidation,  and  she  sat  erect,  and  obeyed  him. 

Thrusting  one  hand  inside  his  vest,  where  it  rested  tightly 
clenched  over  his  heart,  Mr.  Palma  sat  intently  watching  her 


INFELICE.  475 

glad  of  the  privilege  afforded  him,  to  study  the  delicate  features. 
Her  excessive  paleness  reminded  him  of  the  words : 

"  That  white,  white  face,  set  in  a  night  of  hair," 

and  though  the  chastening  touch  of  sorrow,  and  continued 
heart-ache, — that  most  nimble  of  all  chisellers, — had  strangely) 
matured  the  countenance  which  when  it  entered  that  house 
was  as  free  from  lines  and  shadows  as  an  infant's, — it  still  pre 
served  its  almost  child-like  purity  and  repose. 

The  proud  fair  face  with  its  firm  yet  dainty  scarlet  lips,  baf 
fled  him  ;  and  when  he  reflected  that  a  hundred  contingencies 
might  arise  to  shut  it  from  his  view  in  future  years,  he  suddenly 
compressed  his  mouth  to  suppress  a  groan.  His  vanity  de 
manded  an  assurance  that  her  heart  was  as  entirely  his,  as  he 
hoped, — yet  he  knew  that  he  loved  her  all  the  more  tenderly, 
and  reverently, — because  of  the  true  womanly  delicacy  that 
prompted  her  to  shroud  her  real  feelings,  with  such  desperate 
tenacity. 

She  read  the  poem,  with  skill  and  pathos,  but  no  undue 
tremor  of  the  smooth,  deliciously  sweet  voice  betrayed  aught, 
save  the  natural  timidity  of  a  tyro,  essaying  her  first  critical 
trial.  ToTnight  she  wore  a  white  shawl  draped  in  statuesque 
folds  over  her  shoulders  and  bust,  and  the  snowy  flowers  in  her 
raven  hair  were  scarcely  purer  than  her  full  forehead,  borne  up 
by  the  airy  arched  black  brows,  that  had  always  attracted  the 
admiration  of  her  fastidious  guardian  ; — and  as  the  soft  radiance 
of  the  clustered  lamps  fell  upon  her,  she  looked  as  sweet  and 
lovely  a  woman  as  ever  man  placed  upon  the  sacred  hearth  of 
his  home,  a  holy  priestess  to  keep  it  bright,  serene  and  warm. 

On  that  same  day,  but  a  few  hours  earlier,  she  had  perused 
these  pages,  wondering  how  the  unknown  gifted  poetess  beyond 
the  sea,  had  so  accurately  etched  the  suffering  in  her  own 
young  heart, — the  loneliness  and  misery  that  seemed  coiled  in 
the  future,  like  serpents  in  a  lair.  Now  holding  that  bruised 
palpitating  heart  under  the  steel-clad  heel  of  pride,  she  was 
calmly  declaiming  that  portraiture  of  her  own  wretchedness,  as 


476  1NFELICE. 

any  elocutionist  might  a  grand  passage  from  the  "  Antigone" 
or  "  Prometheus"  Not  a  throb  of  pain  was  permitted  to  ripple 
the  rich  voice  that  uttered  : 

"  But  two  are  walking  apart  forever, 
And  wave  their  hands  in  a  mute  farewell." 

Farther  on,  nearing  the  close,  Mr.  Palma  observed  a  change 
in  the  countenance,  a  quick  gleam  in  the  eyes,  a  triumphant 
ring  in  the  deep  and  almost  passionate  tone  that  cried  exult 
antly  : 

"  Only  my  heart  to  my  heart  will  show  it 
As  I  walk  desolate  day  by  day." 

He  leaned  forward  and  touched  the  volume : 

"Thank  you.  Give  me  the  book.  I  should  render  the 
concluding  verses  very  much  as  I  heard  them  recently  from  my 
fair  client,  Mrs.  Carew, — so  :  " 

In  his  remarkably  clear,  full,  musical  and  carefully-modulated 
voice  he  read  the  two  remaining  verses,  then  closed  the 
volume  and  looked  coolly  across  the  table  at  the  girl. 

With  what  a  flash  her  splendid  eyes  challenged  his, — and  how 
proudly  her  tender  lips  curled,  as  with  pitiless  scorn  she  an 
swered  : 

"  Not  so, — oh  not  so  !  Jean  Ingelow  would  never  recog 
nize  her  own  jewelled  handiwork.  She  meant  this, — and  any 
earnest  woman  who  prized  a  faithful  lover,  could  not  fail  to 
read  it  aright : " 

Her  eyes  sank  till  they  rested  on  her  ring,  and  slipping  it  to 
and  fro  upon  her  slender  finger  till  the  diamonds  sparkled,  she 
repeated  with  indescribable  power  and  pathos  : 

"  And  yet  I  know,  past  all  doubting,  truly, — 

A  knowledge  greater  than  grief  can  dim — 
I  know,  as  he  loved,  he  will  love  me  duly, 

Yea  better,  e'en  better  than  I  love  him. 
And  as  I  walk  by  the  vast  calm  river, 

The  awful  river  so  dread  to  see, 
I  say  '  Thy  breadth  and  thy  depth  forever — 

Are  bridged  by  his  thoughts  that  cross  to  me.'  " 


INFEL1CE.  477 

"  Regina  do  you  interpret  that,  the  River  of  Death  ?  " 

She  pointed  to  the  jewels  on  her  hand,  and  the  blue  eyes 
cold  as  steel  met  his. 

"Only  the  river  of  death  could  have  '  divided'  Douglass  and 
me." 

A  frown  overshadowed  his  massive  brow,  but  he  merely 
added  composedly : 

"  I  did  not  suspect  until  to-night,  that  you  were  endowed 
with  your  mother's  histrionic  talent.  Some  day  you  will  rival 
her  as  an  actress,  and  at  least  I  may  venture  to  congratulate 
you  upon  the  fact  that  she  will  scarcely  be  disappointed  in 
your  dramatic  skill." 

For  nearly  a  moment,  neither  spoke. 

"Mr.  Palma  you  have  no  objection  I  hope,  to  my  carrying 
mother's  portrait  with  me?  " 

"  It  is  undeniably  your  property,  but  since  you  will  so  soon 
possess  the  original,  I  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  leaving 
the  picture  where  it  is,  until  your  mother  decides  where  she 
will  reside." 

"  I  understood  that  you  had  sold  this  house,  and  feared  that 
in  the  removal  it  might  be  injured." 

"It  will  be  carefully  preserved  with  my  own  pictures,  and  if 
your  mother  wishes  it  forwarded,  I  will  comply  with  her  instruc 
tions.  All  the  business  details  of  your  voyage  I  have  arranged 
with  Mrs.  Palma  and  Mr.  Chesley ;  and  you  have  only  to  pack 
your  trunks,  and  bid  adieu  to  such  friends  as  you  may  deem 
worthy  of  a  farewell  visit.  Have  you  a  copy  of  Jean  Ingelow  ?  " 

"No  Sir." 

"  Then  oblige  me  by  accepting  mine.  I  have  no  time  for 
poetry." 

He  took  the  book  to  his  desk,  wrote  upon  the  fly-leaf:  "  Lily. 
March  the  ioth;"  then  marked  "Divided,"  and  returning  to 
the  table  held  the  volume  toward  her. 

"  Thank  you,  but  indeed  Sir,  I  do  not  wish  to  accept  it.  I 
much  prefer  that  you  should  retain  it." 

He  inclined  his  head,  and  replaced  the  book  on  the  marble 


4JS  IXFELICE. 

slab.     She  rose,  and  he  saw  the  color  slowly  ebbing  from  her 
lips. 

••  Mr.  Palma  I  hope  you  will  not  deny  me  one  great  favor. 
I  cannot  leave  my  dog,  I  must  have  my  Hero." 

"  Indeed  !  I  thought  you  had  quite  forgotten  his  existence. 
You  have  ceased  to  manifest  any  interest  in  him." 

"Yes,  to  manifest, — but  not  to  feel.  You  took  him  from 
me,  and  I  was  unwilling  to  annoy  you  with  useless  petitions  and 
complaints.  You  assured  me  he  was  well  cared  for,  and  that 
I  need  not  expect  to  have  him  while  I  remained  here  ;  now  I 
am  going  away  forever,  I  want  him.  You  gave  him  to  me  once, 
he  is  mine ;  and  you  have  no  right  to  withhold  him  any  longer." 

"  Circumstances  have  materially  altered.  When  you  were  a 
little  girl  I  sent  you  a  dog  to  romp  with.  Xow  you  are  a  young 
lady  preparing  for  European  conquests,  and  having  had  his  day, 
Hero  must  retire  to  the  rustic  shade  of  your  childhood." 

"  Years  have  not  changed  my  feelings  for  all  that  I  love." 

"  Are  you  sure  Lily,  that  you  have  not  changed  since  you 
came  to  live  in  Xew  York  ?  " 

t  in  my  attachment  to  all  that  brightened  my  childhood, 
and  Hero  is  closely  linked  with  the  dear  happy  time  I  spent  at 
the  Parsonage.  Mr.  Palma  I  want  him." 

Her  guardian  smiled,  and  played  with  his  watch  chain. 

"  Officers  of  the  ocean  steamers  dislike  to  furnish  passage  for 
dogs  ;  and  they  are  generally  forwarded  by  sailing  vessels.  My 
ward,  I  regret  to  refuse  you,  particularly  when  we  are  about  to 
say  good-by, — possibly  for  ever.  Wait  six  months,  and  if  at 
the  expiration  of  that  time,  you  still  desire  to  have  him  cross 
the  ocean,  I  pledge  myself  to  comply  with  your  wishes.  You 
know  I  never  break  a  promise." 

"  Where  is  Hero  ?     May  I  not  at  least  see  him  before  I  go  ?  " 

l-  Just  now,  he  is  at  a  farm  on  Staten  Island,  and  I  am  sorry 
I  cannot  gratify  you  in  such  a  trivial  matter.  Trust  me  to 
take  care  of  him." 

Her  heart  was  slowly  sinking,  for  she  saw  him  glance  at  the 
clock,  and  knew  that  it  was  very  late. 


INF E  LICE.  479 

"  I  will  bring  you  good  tidings  of  your  pet,  when  I  see  you  in 
Europe.  If  I  live,  I  shall  probably  cross  the  ocean  some  time 
during  the  summer,  and  as  my  business  will  oblige  me  to  meet 
your  mother,  I  shall  hope  to  see  my  ward  during  my  tour,  which 
will  be  short." 

He  was  watching  her  very  closely,  and  instead  of  pleased  sur 
prise,  discerned  the  expression  of  dread,  the  unmistakable  shiver 
that  greeted  the  announcement  of  his  projected  trip.  After  ail, 
had  he  utterly  mistaken  her  feeling, — flattered  himself  falsely  ? 

She  supposed  he  referred  to  his  bridal  tour,  and  the  thought 
that  when  they  next  met,  he  would  be  Brunella  Carew's  hus 
band,  goaded  her  to  hope  that  such  torture  might  be  averted, 
by  seeing  him  no  more. 

While  both  stood  sorrowful  and  perplexed,  the  front  door 
bell  rang  sharply.  Soon  after  Terry  entered,  with  a  large  offi 
cial  envelope,  sealed  with  red  wax. 

"  From  Mr.  Rodney, — Sir." 

»  Yes — I  was  expecting  it.  Tell  Octave  I  must  have  a  cup 
of  coffee  at  daylight,  and  Farley  must  not  fail  to  have  the  coupe 
ready  to  take  me  to  the  depot.  Let  the  gas  burn  in  the  hall 
to-night.  That  is  all." 

Mr.  Palma  broke  the  seals,  glanced  at  the  heading  of  several 
sheets  of  legal  cap,  and  laid  the  whole  on  his  desk. 

"  Regina  all  the  money  belonging  to  you,  I  shall  leave  in 
Mrs.  Palma's  hands,  and  she  will  transmit  it  to  you.  Mr. 
Chesley  will  take  charge  of  you  to-morrow,  soon  after  his 
arrival,  and  in  the  chivalric  new  guardian,  I  presume  the  former 
grim  custodian  will  speedily  be  forgotten.  I  have  some  letters 
to  write,  and  as  I  shall  leave  home  before  you  are  awake.  I 
must  bid  you  good-by  to-night.  Is  there  anything  you  wish  to 
say  to  me  ?  " 

Twice  she  attempted  to  speak,  but  no  sound  was  audible. 

Mr.  Palma  came  close  to  her,  and  held  out  his  hand. 
Silently  she  placed  hers  in  it,  and  when  he  took  the  other, 
holding  both  in  a  warm  tightening  clasp,  she  felt  as  if  the  world 
were  crumbling  beneath  her  unsteady  feet.  Her  large  soft  eyes 


480  INFELICE. 

sought  his  handsome  pale  face,  wistfully,  hungrily,  almost  de 
spairingly, — and  oh  !  how  dear  he  was  to  her,  at  that  moment. 
If  she  could  only  put  her  arms  around  his  neck,  and  cling  to 
him,  feeling  as  she  had  once  done,  the  touch  of  his  cheek  press 
ing  hers ;  but  there  was  madness  in  the  thought. 

"  Although  you  are  so  anxious  to  leave  my  care  and  my 
house,  I  hope  my  ward  will  think  kindly  of  me  when  far  distant. 
It  is  my  misfortune  that  you  gave  your  fullest  confidence  and 
affection  to  your  guardian  Mr.  Hargrove  ;  but  since  you  were 
committed  to  my  hands,  I  have  endeavored  faithfully,  conscien 
tiously  to  do  my  duty  in  every  respect.  In  some  things  it  has 
cost  me  dear, — how  dear,  I  think  you  will  never  realize.  If  I 
should  live  to  see  you  again,  I  trust  I  shall  find  you  the  same  ear 
nest,  true-hearted,  pure  girl  that  you  leave  me,  for  in  your  piety, 
and  noble  nature,  I  have  a  deep  and  abiding  faith.  My  dear 
ward — Good-by." 

The  beautiful  face  with  its  mournful  tender  eyes,  told  little 
of  the  fierce  agony  that  seemed  consuming  her,  as  she  gazed 
into  the  beloved  countenance  for  the  last  time. 

"  Good-by  Mr.  Palma.  I  have  no  words  to  thank  you  for  all 
your  care  and  goodness." 

"  Is  that  all,  Lily  ?  Years  ago,  when  I  left  you  at  the  Parson 
age,  looking  as  if  your  little  heart  would  break,  you  said,  *  I  will 
pray  for  you  every  night.'  Now  you  leave  me  without  a  tear, 
and  with  no  promise  to  remember  me." 

Tenderly  his  low  voice  appealed  to  her  heart,  as  he  bent  his 
head  so  close  that  his  hair  swept  across  her  brow. 

She  raised  the  hand  that  held  hers,  suddenly  kissed  it  with 
an  overwhelming  passionate  fervor,  and  holding  it  against  her 
cheek,  murmured  almost  in  a  whisper  : 

"  God  knows  I  have  never  ceased  to  pray  for  you,  and  Mr. 
Palma,  as  long  as  I  live, — come  what  may  to  both  of  us,  I  shall 
never  fail  in  my  prayers  for  you." 

She  dropped  his  hand,  and  covered  her  face  with  her  own. 

He  stretched  his  arms  toward  her,  all  his  love  in  his  fine 
eyes,  so  full  of  a  strange  tenderness,  a  yearning  to  possess  her 


INFELICE.  481 

entirely ;  but  he  checked  himself,  and  taking  one  of  the  hands, 
led  her  to  the  door.  Upon  the  threshold  she  rallied,  and 
looked  up  : 

"  Good-by—Mr.  Palma." 

He  drew  her  close  to  his  side,  unconscious  that  he  pressed 
her  fingers  so  tight  that  the  small  points  of  the  diamonds  cut 
into  the  flesh. 

"God  bless  you  Lily.     Think  of  me  sometimes." 

They  looked  in  each  other's  eyes  an  instant,  and  she  walked 
away.  He  turned  and  closed  the  door,  and  she  heard  the 
click  of  the  lock  inside.  Blind  and  tearless,  like  one  stagger 
ing  from  a  severe  blow,  she  reached  her  own  room,  and  fell 
heavily  across  the  foot  of  her  bed. 

Through  the  long  hours  of  that  night,  she  lay  motionless, 
striving  to  hush  the  moans  of  her  crushed  heart,  and  wondering 
why  such  anguish  as  hers,  was  not  fatal.  Staring  at  the  wall, 
she  could  not  close  her  eyes,  and  the  only  staff  that  supported 
her  in  the  ordeal,  was  the  consciousness  that  she  had  fought 
bravely,  had  not  betrayed  her  humiliating  secret. 

Toward  dawn  she  rose,  and  opened  her  window.  The  sleet 
had  ceased,  and  the  carriage  was  standing  before  the  door. 
An  impulse  she  could  not  resist,  drove  her  out  into  the  hall,  to 
catch  one  more  glimpse  of  the  form  so  precious  to  her.  She 
heard  a  door  open  on  the  hall  beneath,  and  recognized  her 
guardian's  step.  He  paused,  and  she  heard  him  talking  to  his 
step-mother;  bidding  her  adieu.  His  last  words  were  deep  and 
gentle  in  their  utterance. 

"  Be  very  tender  and  patient  with  Olga.  Wounds  like  hers 
heal  slowly.  Take  good  care  of  my  ward.  God  bless  you 
all." 

Descending  the  steps,  she  saw  him  distinctly,  enveloped  in 
an  overcoat  buttoned  so  close  that  it  showed  the  fine  propor 
tions  of  his  tall  figure  ; — and  as  he  stopped  to  light  his  cigar  at 
a  gas  globe  which  a  bronze  Atalanta  held  in  a  niche  half  way 
up  the  stairs,  his  nobly  formed  head,  and  gleaming  forehead' 
impressed  itself  forever  on  her  memory. 


482  INFELICE. 

Slowly  he  went  down,  and  leaning  over  the  balustrade  to 
watch  the  vanishing  figure,  the  withered  azaleas  slipped  from 
her  hair,  and  floated  like  a  snowflake  down,  down  to  the  lower 
hall. 

Fearful  of  discovery  she  shrank  back,  but  not  before  he  had 
seen  the  drifting  flowers, — and  one  swift  upward  glance  showed 
him  the  blanched  suffering  face  pale  as  a  summer  cloud,  re 
treating  from  observation.  Stooping,  he  snatched  the  bruised 
wilted  petals  that  seemed  a  fit  symbol  of  the  drooping  flower 
he  was  leaving  behind  him, — kissed  them  tenderly,  and  thrust 
them  into  his  bosom. 

The  blessed  assurance  so  long  desired,  seemed  nestling  in 
their  perfumed  corollas  making  all  his  future  fragrant ;  and 
how  little  she  dreamed  of  the  precious  message  they  breathed 
from  her  heart  to  his  ? 

"  What  could  he  do  indeed  ?      A  weak  white  girl 
Held  all  his  heartstrings  in  her  small  white  hand  ; 
His  hopes,  and  power,  and  majesty  were  hers, 
And  not  his  own." 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

|O,  Mother, — no.  Not  less,  but  more  beautiful ;  not  so 
pale  as  when  you  hung  over  me  at  the  convent,  baptiz 
ing  me  with  hot,  fast  dripping  tears.  Now  a  delicate 
flush  like  the  pink  of  an  apple  bloom  —  overspreads  your 
cheeks  ; — and  your  eyes  once  so  sad,  eyes  which  I  remember  as 
shimmering  stars,  burning  always  on  the  brink  of  clouds,  and 
magnified  and  misty  through  a  soft  veil  of  April  rain,  are  bright 
er,  happier  eyes  than  those  1  have  so  fondly  dreamed  of.  Oh 
Mother  !  Mother  !  Draw  me  close, — hold  me  tight.  Earth 
has  no  peace  so  holy,  as  the  blessed  rest  in  a  mother's  clasping 
arms.  After  the  long  winter  of  separation,  it  is  so  sweet  to 
bask  in  your  presence,  thawing  like  a  numb  dormouse  in  the 


INFELICE.  483 

sunshine  of  May.  I  knew  I  should  find  joy  in  the  reunion, 
but  how  deep,  how  full, — anticipation  failed  to  paint ;  and 
only  the  blessed  reality  has  taught  me." 

On  the  carpet  at  her  mother's  feet,  with  her  head  in  her 
mother's  lap,  and  her  arms  folded  around  her  waist,  Regina  had 
thrown  herself,  feasting  her  eyes  with  the  beauty  of  the  face 
smiling  down  upon  her.  It  was  the  second  day  after  her  ar 
rival  in  Paris,  and  hour  after  hour  she  had  poured  into  eagerly 
listening  ears,  the  recital  of  her  life  at  the  quiet  Parsonage,  at 
the  stately  mansion  on  Fifth  Avenue ;  and  yet  the  endless 
stream  of  talk  flowed  on, — and  neither  mother  nor  child,  took 
cognizance  of  the  flight  of  time. 

Of  her  past,  the  girl  withheld  only  the  acknowledgment  of 
her  profound  interest  in  Mr.  Palma,  and  when  questioned  con 
cerning  his  opposition  to  her  engagement  with  Mr.  Lindsay, 
she  had  briefly  announced  her  belief  that  he  was  hastening  the 
preparations  for  his  marriage  with  Mrs.  Carew.  Of  him  she 
spoke  only  in  quiet  terms  of  respect  and  gratitude,  and  her 
mother  never  suspected  the  spasm  of  pain  that  the  bare  men 
tion  of  his  name  aroused. 

Thus  far,  no  allusion  had  been  hazarded  to  the  long-veiled 
mystery  of  her  parentage,  and  Mrs.  Orme  wondered  at  the  ex 
ceeding  delicacy  with  which  her  daughter  avoided  every  refer 
ence,  that  might  have  been  construed  into  an  inquiry.  As  the 
soft  motherly  hand  passed  caressingly  over  the  forehead  resting 
so  contentedly  on  her  knee,  Regina  continued  : 

"In  all  the  splendid  imagery  that  makes  'Aurora  Leigh' 
deathless,  nothing  affected  me  half  so  deeply,  as  the  portrait  of 
the  motherless  child  ;  and  often  when  I  could  not  sleep, — I 
have  whispered  in  the  wee  sma'  hours  : — 

"  I  felt  a  mother  want  about  the  world, 
And  still  went  seeking,  like  a  bleating  lamb 
Left  out  at  night,  in  shutting  up  the  fold, — 
As  restless  as  a  nest -deserted  bird, — 

Grown  chill  through  something  being  away,  though  what — 
It  knows  not.     So  mothers  have  God's  license  to  be  missed." 


484  INFELICE. 

My  guardians  were  noble,  kind,  high-toned,  honorable  gen 
tlemen,  and  i  owe  them  thanks, — but  ah  !  a  girl  should  be 
ward  only  to  those  who  gave  her  being  ;  and  mother — brown- 
eyed  mother,  sweet  and  holy, — it  would  have  been  better  for 
your  child  had  she  shared  her  past,  with  none  but  you.  Do  I 
weary  you  with  my  babble  ?  If  so,  lay  your  hand  upon  my 
mouth,  and  I  will  watch  your  dear  face,  and  be  silent." 

In  answer  the  mother  stooped,  and  kissed  many  times  the 
perfect  lips  that  smiled  at  the  pressure ;  but  the  likeness  to  a 
mouth  dangerously  sweet,  treacherously  beautiful, — mocked 
her,  and  Regina  saw  her  turn  away  her  eyes,  and  felt  rather 
than  heard  the  strangled  moan. 

"  Mother-kisses, — the  sweetest  relic  of  Eden  that  followed 
Eve — into  a  world  of  pain.  All  these  dreary  years,  I  have  kept 
your  memory  like  a  white  angel-image, — set  it  up  for  worship, 
offered  it  the  best  part  of  myself;  and  I  know  I  have  grown 
jealously  exacting — where  you  are  concerned.  I  studied,  be 
cause  I  wished  you  to  be  proud  of  me  ;  I  practised — simply  that 
my  music  might  be  acceptable  and  pleasant  to  you,  and  when 
people  praised  me, — said  I  was  pretty,  I  rejoiced, — that  one 
day  I  might  be  considered  worthy  of  you.  Something  wounded 
me — when  at  last  we  met.  Let  me  tell  you  my  dearest, — that 
you  may  take  out  the  thorn,  and  heal  the  grieved  spot.  The 
day  I  came — how  long  ago  ?  (for  I  am  in  a  delicious  dream — 
have  been  eating  the  luscious  lotos  of  realized  hope  ;) — the 
day  I  came,  and  saw  a  new,  glorious  sun  shining  from  my 
mother's  eyes, — you  ran  to  meet  me.  I  hear  you  again — 
'My  baby!  my  baby  !'  as  you  rushed  across  the  floor.  You 
opened  your  arms — and  when  you  clasped  me  to  your  bosom, 
you  bent  my  head  back,  and  gazed  at  me — oh  !  how  eagerly, 
hungrily;  and  I  saw  your  face  turn  ghastly  \\hite, — and  a  great 
agony  sweep  across  it, — and  the  lips  that  kissed  me — were  cold, 
and  quivering.  To  me — it  was  all  sweet,  as  heaven  ;  —but  the 
cup  of  delight  I  drained,  had  bitter  drops  for  you.  Mother  tell 
me,  were  you  disappointed  in  your  daughter  ?  " 

"  No  darling,  no.     The  little  blue-eyed  child  has  grown  into 


INFELICE.  485 

a  woman,  of  whom  the  haughtiest  mother  in  the  land,  might  be 
proud.  My  darling  is  all  I  wish  her." 

"  Ah  mother  !  the  flattery  is  inexpressibly  sweet,  falling  like 
dew  on  parched  leaves ;  but  the  eyes  of  your  idolatrous  baby 
have  grown  very  keen,  and  I  know  that  the  sight  of  me  brings 
you  a  terrible  pain  you  cannot  hide.  Last  night,  when  Mrs. 
Waul  made  me  shake  out  my  hair,  to  show  its  length,  and 
praised  it  and  my  eyebrows, — you  dropped  my  hand,  and 
walked  away ;  and  in  the  mirror  on  the  wall,  I  saw  your  coun 
tenance  shaken  with  grief.  What  is  it  ?  We  have  been  apart 
so  long,  do  take  me  into  your  heart  fully ;  tell  me  why  you 
look  at  me,  and  turn  aside,  and  shiver  ?" 

Her  clasping  arms  tightened  about  her  mother's  waist,  and 
after  a  short  silence, — Mrs.  Orme  exclaimed  : 

"  It  is  true.  It  has  always  been  so.  From  the  hour  when 
you  were  born,  and  your  little  round  head  black  with  silky 
locks  was  first  laid  upon  my  arm, — your  face  stabbed  me  like  a 
dagger, — and  your  eyes  are  blue  steel  that  murder  my  peace. 
My  daughter — my  daughter — you  are  the  exact  counterpart, — 
the  beautiful  image  of  your  father  !  It  is  because  I  see  in  your 
eyes  so  wonderfully  blue — the  reproduction  of  his, — and  about 
your  mouth  and  brows  the  graceful  lines  of  his, — that  I  shudder 
while  I  look  at  you.  Ah  my  darling  !  Is  it  not  hard  that  your 
beauty  should  sting  like  a  serpent, — the  mother  whose  blood 
filled  your  veins  ?  The  very  tones  of  your  voice,  the  carriage 
of  your  head, — even  the  peculiar  shape  of  your  fingers,  and 
nails, — are  his, — all  his !  Oh  my  baby  !  my  white  lamb  !  my 
precious  little  one — if  I  had  not  fed  you  from  my  bosom, — 
cradled  you  in  my  arms, — realized  that  you  were  indeed  flesh  of 
my  flesh, — my  own  unfortunate,  unprotected  disowned  baby, — 
I  believe  I  should  hate  you  !  " 

She  bowed  her  head  in  her  hands,  and  groaned  aloud. 

"  Forgive  me  mother.  If  I  had  imagined  the  real  cause,  I 
would  never  have  inquired.  Let  it  pass.  Tell  me  nothing  that 
will  bring  such  a  storm  of  grief  as  this.  God  knows  I  wish  I 
resembled  you,— only  you." 


486  INFELICE. 

She  covered  her  mother's  hands  with  kisses,  and  tears 
gathered  in  her  eyes. 

"No — God  knew  best,  and  in  His  wisdom,  His  mercy  for 
widowhood  and  orphanage,  He  stamped  your  father's  unmis 
takable  likeness,  indelibly  upon  you.  Providentially  a  badge  of 
honorable  parentage  was  set  upon  the  deserted  infant,  which 
neither  fraud,  slander  nor  perjury  can  ever  remove.  The  laws 
God  set  to  work  in  nature,  defy  the  calumny,  the  corruption, 
the  vindictive  persecution  and  foul  injustice  cloaked  under 
legal  statutes,  human  decrees  ; — and  though  a  world  swore  to 
the  contrary,  your  face  proclaims  your  father,  and  his  own  im 
age  will  hunt  him  through  all  his  toils  and  triumphantly  confront 
him  with  his  crime.  No  jury  ever  empanelled  could  see  you 
side  by  side  with  your  father,  and  dare  to  doubt  that  you  were 
his  child !  No,  bitter  as  are  the  memories  your  countenance 
recalls,  I  hold  it  the  keenest  weapon  in  the  armory  of  my 
revenge." 

"  Let  us  talk  of  something  that  grieves  and  agitates  you  less. 
May  I  sing  you  a  song,  always  associated  with  your  portrait,  an 
invocation  sacred  to  my  lovely  mother  ?  " 

"  No — sometime  you  must  know  the  history  I  have  carefully 
hidden  from  all  but  Mr.  Palm  a,  and  your  dead  guardian ;  and 
now  that  the  bitter  waves  are  already  roaring  over  me,  why 
should  I  delay  the  narration  ?  It  was  not  my  purpose  to  tell 
you  thus,  I  thought  it  would  too  completely  unnerve  me,  and  I 
wrote  the  story  of  my  life  in  the  form  of  a  drama,  and  called  it 
In/dice !  But  the  recital  is  in  Mr.  Chesley's  hands  for  perusal, 
— and  I  shall  feel  stronger,  less  oppressed  when  I  have  talked 
freely  with  you.  Kiss  me — my  pure  darling,  my  own  little 
nameless  treasure  ; — my  fatherless  baby  ; — for  indeed  I  need 
the  elixir  of  my  daughter's  love — to  keep  me  human,  when  I 
dwell  upon  the  past." 

She  strained  the  girl  to  her  heart, — then  put  her  away  and 
rose.  Opening  a  strong  metallic  box  concealed  in  a  drawer  of 
the  dressing-table,  she  took  out  several  papers,  some  yellowed 
with  age,  and  blurred  with  tears,  and  while  Regina  still  sat,  with 


INFELICE.  487 

her  arm  resting  on  the  chair,  Mrs.  Orme  locked  the  door,  and 
began  to  walk  slowly  up  and  down  the  room. 

"  One  moment  mother.  I  want  to  know  why  my  heart  is 
drawn  so  steadily  and  so  powerfully  toward  Mr.  Chesley, — and 
why  something  in  his  face  reminds  me  tenderly  of  you  ?  Are 
you  quite  willing  to  tell  me  why  he  seems  so  deeply  interested 
in  me  ?  " 

"  Regina  have  you  never  guessed  ?  Orme  Chesley  is  my 
uncle,  my  mother's  only  brother." 

"  Oh  how  rejoiced  I  am  !  I  hoped  he  was  in  some  mysteri 
ous  way  related  to  us,  but  I  feared  to  lean  too  much  upon  the 
pleasant  thought,  lest  it  proved  a  disappointment.  My  own 
uncle  ?  What  a  blessing  !  Does  Mr.  Palma  know  it  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Palma  first  suspected  and  traced  the  relationship,  and 
it  was  from  him  that  Uncle  Orme  learned  of  my  existence, 
for  it  appears,  he  believed  me  dead.  Mr.  Palma  has  long  held 
all  the  tangled  threads  of  my  miserable  history  in  his  skilful 
hands,  and  to  his  prudent  patient  care  you  and  I  shall  owe  our 
salvation.  For  years  he  has  been  to  me  the  truest,  wisest, 
kindest  friend, — a  deserted  and  helpless  woman  ever  found." 

Regina  sank  her  head  upon  the  chair,  afraid  that  her  radiant 
face  might  betray  the  joy  his  praises  kindled  ;  and  while  she 
walked  Mrs.  Orme  began  her  recital  : 

"My  grandfather  Hubert  Chesley  was  from  Alsace;  my 
grandmother  originally  belonged  to  the  French  family  of  Ormes. 
They  had  two  children,  Orme  the  eldest,  and  Minetta  who  while 
very  young,  married  a  travelling  musician  from  Switzerland, 
named  Leon  Merle.  A  year  after  she  became  his  wife,  her 
father  died,  and  the  family  resolved  to  emigrate  to  America, 
On  the  voyage,  which  was  upon  a  crowded  emigrant  ship,  I  was 
born  ;  and  a  few  hours  after,  my  mother  died.  They  buried  her 
at  sea,  and  would  to  God  !  I  too  had  been  thrown  into  the 
waves, — for  then  this  tale  of  misery  would  never  torture  inno 
cent  ears.  But  children  who  have  only  a  heritage  of  woe,  and 
ought  to  die,  fight  for  existence,  defying  adversity,  and  thrive 
strangely  ;  so  I  lucklessly  survived. 


488  INFELICE. 

"  My  first  recollections  are  of  a  pauper  quarter  in  a  large 
city,  where  my  father  supported  us  scantily,  by  teaching  music. 
Subsequently  we  removed  to  several  villages,  and  finally  settled 
in  one,  where  were  located  a  college  for  young  gentlemen,  and 
a  seminary  for  girls.  In  the  latter  my  father  was  employed  as 
musical  professor,  and  here  we  lived  very  comfortably,  until 
he  died,  of  congestion  of  the  lungs.  Uncle  Orme  at  that 
time  was  in  feeble  health,  and  unable  to  contribute  toward  our 
maintenance,  and  soon  after  father's  death,  he  went  out  to  Cal 
ifornia  to  the  mining  region.  I  was  about  ten  years  old  when 
he  left,  and  recollect  him  as  a  pale,  thin  delicate  man.  In  those 
days  it  cost  a  good  deal  of  money  to  reach  the  gold  mines,  and 
this  alone  prevented  him  from  taking  us  with  him. 

"  We  were  very  poor,  but  grandmother  was  foolishly,  incon 
sistently  proud,  and  though  compelled  to  sew  for  our  daily 
bread,  she  dressed  me  in  a  style  incompatible  with  our  poverty, 
and  contrived  to  send  me  to  school.  Finally  her  eyes  failed, — 
and  with  destitution  staring  open-jawed  upon  us,  she  reluctantly 
consented  to  do  the  washing  and  mending  for  three  college  boys. 
She  was  well  educated,  and  inordinately  vain  of  her  blood,  and 
how  this  galling  necessity  humiliated  her  !  We  of  course  could 
employ  no  servant,  and  once  when  she  was  confined  to  her  bed 
by  inflammatory  rheumatism,  I  was  sent  to  the  college  to  carry 
the  clothes  washed  and  ironed  that  week.  It  was  the  only  time  I 
was  ever  permitted  to  cross  the  campus,  but  it  sufficed  to  wreck 
my  life.  On  that  luckless  day  I  first  met  Cuthbert  Laurance, 
then  only  nineteen,  while  I  was  not  yet  fifteen.  Think  of  it — 
my  darling  ; — three  years  younger  than  you  are  now,  and  you 
• — a  mere  child  still !  While  he  paid  me  the  money  due,  he 
looked  at,  and  talked  to  me.  Oh  my  daughter  !  my  daughter  ! 
As  I  see  you  at  this  instant,  with  your  violet  eyes  watching  me 
from  under  those  slender,  black  arches, — it  seems  the  very  same 
regular,  aristocratic,  beautiful  face  that  met  me  that  wretched 
afternoon,  beneath  the  branching  elms  that  shaded  the  campus  ! 
So  courteous,  so  winning,  so  chivalric,  so — indescribably  hand 
some  did  he  present  himself  to  my  admiring  eyes.  I  was  young, 


IN  FELICE.  489 

pretty,  an  innocent,  ignorant  foolish  child,  and  I  yielded  to  the 
fascination  he  exerted. 

"  Day  by  day  the  charm  deepened,  and  he  sought  numerous 
opportunities  of  seeing  me  again  ; — gave  me  books, — brought 
me  flowers,  became  the  king  of  my  waking  thoughts,  the  god  of 
my  dreams.  In  a  cottage  near  us,  lived  a  widow,  Mrs.  Peter 
son  ;  whose  only  child  Peleg,  a  rough  overgrown  lad,  was  a 
journeyman  carpenter,  and  quite  skilful  in  carving  wooden 
figures.  We  had  grown  up  together,  and  he  seemed  particularly 
fond  of  and  kind  to  me,  rendering  me  many  little  services  which 
a  stalwart  man  can  perform  for  a  delicate  petted  young  creature 
such  as  I  was  then. 

"  As  grandmother's  infirmity  increased,  and  her  strict  super 
vision  relaxed,  I  met  Cuthbert  more  frequently,  but  as  yet  with 
out  her  knowledge  ;  and  gradually  he  won  my  childish  heart 
completely.  His  father  General  Rene  Laurance,  was  a  haughty 
wealthy  planter  residing  in  one  of  the  Middle  States,  and  Cuth 
bert  was  his  only  child;  the  pride  of  his  heart  and  home. 
Those  happy  days — seem  a  misty  dream  to  me  now,  I  have  so 
utterly  outgrown  the  faith  that  lent  a  glory  to  that  early  time. 
Cuthbert  assured  me  of  his  affection,  swore  undying  allegiance 
to  me  ;  and  like  many  other  silly,  trusting,  inexperienced, 
doomed  young  fools,  I  believed  every  syllable  that  he  whispered 
in  my  ears. 

"  One  Sabbath  when  grandmother  supposed  I  was  saying  my 
prayers  in  the  church,  which  I  had  left  home  to  attend,  I  stole 
away  to  our  trysting  place  in  a  neighboring  wood,  that  bordered 
a  small  stream.  Oh  the  bitter  fruits — of  that  filial  disobedience  ! 
The  accursed  harvest  that  ripened  for  me, — that  it  seems,  I  shall 
never  have  clone  garnering  !  Clandestine  interviews — concealed, 
because  I  knew  prohibition  would  follow  discovery  !  I  am  a 
melancholy  monument  of  the  sin  of  deception  ;  and  that  child 
who  deliberately  snatches  the  reins  of  control  from  the  hands 
where  God  decrees  them, — and  dares  substitute  her  will  and 
judgment  for  those  of  parents  or  guardians,  drives  inevitably  on 
to  ruin,  and  will  live  to  curse  her  folly.  That  day  Peleg  was 

21* 


490  INFELICE. 

fishing,  and  surprised  us  at  the  moment  when  Cuthbert  was  bend 
ing  down  to  kiss  me.  Having  heard  all  that  passed,  he  waited 
till  evening,  and  finding  me  in  the  little  garden  attached  to  our 
house,  he  savagely  upbraided  me  for  preferring  Cuthbert' s 
society  to  his  ;  claimed  me  as  his,  by  right  of  devotion,  and  when 
I  spurned  him  indignantly,  and  forbade  him  to  speak  to  me  in 
future,  he  became  infuriated,  rushed  into  the  cottage,  and  dis 
closed  all  that  he  had  discovered." 

"  I  knew  it  !  I  felt  assured  you  must  always  have  loathed 
him  !"  exclaimed  Regina,  with  kindling  eyes;  and  catching  her 
mother's  dress  as  she  passed  beside  her. 

"Why  my  darling?" 

"  Because  he  was  coarse,  brutal  !  When  he  dared  to  call  you 
'  Minnie  ' — if  I  had  been  a  man  I  would  have  strangled  him  ! " 

Her  mother  kissed  her,  and  answered  sadly  : 

"And  yet,  he  loved  me  infinitely  better  than  the  man  for 
whom  I  repulsed,  nay  insulted  him.  He  was  poor,  unpolished, 
but  at  that  time  he  would  have  died  to  defend  me  from  harm. 
It  was  reserved  for  his  courtly,  high-bred,  elegant  rival  to  betray 
the  trust  he  won  !  The  storm  that  followed  Peleg's  revelation 
was  fierce,  and  availing  herself  of  his  jealous  surveillance, 
grandmother  allowed  me  no  more  stolen  interviews.  After  a 
fortnight,  Cuthbert  came  one  day  and  demanded  permission  to 
see  me,  alleging  that  we  were  betrothed,  and  that  he  would  give 
satisfactory  explanations  of  his  conduct.  Grandmother  was 
obdurate,  but  unfortunately  I  ventured  in,  and  seizing  me  in  his 
arms,  he  swore  that  all  the  world  should  not  separate  us.  To 
her  he  explained  that  his  father  desired  him  to  marry  an  heiress 
who  lived  not  far  from  the  paternal  mansion,  and  possessed 
immense  estates,  upon  which  the  covetous  eyes  of  the  Laurances 
had  long  been  fixed ;  but  until  he  completed  his  collegiate 
course,  matters  must  be  delayed.  He  protested  that  he  could 
love  no  one  but  me,  and  solemnly  vowed  that  as  soon  as  freed 
by  his  majority,  from  parental  control,  he  would  make  me  his 
wife.  1  was  sufficiently  insane  to  believe  it  all,  but  grandmother 
was  wiser,  and  sternly  interdicted  his  visits. 


INFELICE. 


491 


"A  month  went  by,  during  which  Peleg  persecuted  me  with 
professions  of  love,  and  offers  of  marriage.  How  I  detested 
him,  and  by  contrast  how  godlike  appeared  my  refined,  pol 
ished,  proud  young  lover  ?  At  length  Cuthbert  wrote  to  me, 
entrusting  the  letter  to  a  college  chum  Gerbert  Audre,  but 
Peleg' s  Argus  scrutiny  could  not  be  baffled,  and  again  1  was  de 
tected. 

"  Meantime  grandmother's  strength  was  evidently  failing,  and 
Uncle  Orme  was  far  away  in  western  wilds  ;  who  would  save 
me  from  my  own  rash  folly  if  she  should  die,  and  leave  me  un 
protected?  This  apprehension  preyed  ceaselessly  on  her  mind, 
she  grew  morose,  moody,  tyrannical  ;  and  when  finally  Cuth 
bert  came  once  more,  forcing  an  entrance  into  the  little  cottage, 
and  asking  upon  what  conditions  he  might  be  permitted  to  visit 
me,  she  bluntly  told  him  that  she  had  determined  to  take  me 
at  all  hazards  to  a  convent,  and  shut  me  up  forever,  unless 
within  forty-eight  hours  he  married  me.  The  thought  of  sepa 
ration  made  him  almost  frantic,  and  after  some  discussion,  it 
was  arranged  that  we  should  be  married  very  secretly  in  a  dis 
tant  town,  with  only  grandmother,  and  his  room-mate  Audre  as 
witnesses.  Our  union  would  be  concealed  rigidly  until  Cuth 
bert  had  left  college,  and  attained  his  majority,  which  was  then 
nearly  two  years  distant ;  at  which  time  he  would  enter  upon 
the  possession  of  a  certain  amount  of  property  left  by  his  mother. 
An  approaching  recess  of  several  days,  which  would  enable 
him  to  absent  himself  without  exciting  suspicion,  was  selected 
as  an  auspicious  occasion  for  the  consummation,  we  all  so  ar 
dently  desired,  and  very  quietly  the  preliminary  steps  were  taken. 

"  By  what  stratagem  or  fraud  a  license  was  obtained,  I  never 
learned,  and  was  too  ignorant  and  unsuspicious  to  question  or 
understand  the  forms  essential  to  legality.  One  stormy  night 
we  were  driven  across  the  country  to  a  railway  station,  hurried 

aboard  the  train,  and  next  morning  reached  the  town  of  V . 

At  the  Parsonage  you  know  so  well,  we  found  Mr.  Hargrove, 
who  appeared  very  reluctant  to  accede  to  our  wishes.  I  was 
only  fifteen,  a  simple-hearted  child,  and  Cuthbert  though  weLJ 


492  INFELICE. 

grown,  was  too  youthful  to  assume  the  duties  of  the  position 
for  which  he  presented  himself  as  candidate.  The  faithful 
prudent  pastor  expostulated  and  declared  himself  unwilling  to 
bind  a  pair  of  children  by  ties  so  solemn  and  indissoluble  ;  but 
the  license  was  triumphantly  exhibited  as  a  release  from  minis 
terial  responsibility,  and  grandmother  urged  in  extenuation, 
that  in  the  event  of  her  death,  I  would  be  thrown  helpless  upon 
the  world,  and  she  as  my  sole  surviving  protector  and  guardian 
desired  to  see  me  entitled  to  a  husband's  care  and  shelter. 

"At  last,  with  an  earnest  protest,  the  conscientious  man  con 
sented,  and  standing  before  him  that  sunny  morning,  in  the 
presence  of  God, — and  of  grandmother  and  Mr.  Audre,  Cuth- 
bert  Laurance  and  Minnie  Merle  were  solemnly  married  !  Oh 
my  daughter  !  when  I  think  of  that  day, — and  its  violated  vows, 
— when  I  remember  what  I  was, — and  contrast  the  Minnie 
Merle  of  my  girlhood — with  the  blasted,  wretched  ruin  that  I 
am, — my  brain  reels, — my  veins  run  fire  !  " 

She  clasped  her  palms  across  her  forehead,  and  moaned,  as 
the  deluge  of  bitter  recollections  overflowed  her. 

Tears  were  stealing  down  Regina's  cheeks,  as  she  watched 
the  anguish  she  felt  powerless  to  relieve,  and  she  began  to  real 
ize  the  depth  of  woe  that  had  blackened  all  her  past. 

"  He  promised  to  love,  honor,  cherish  me,  as  long  as  life 
lasted,  and  Mr.  Hargrove  pronounced  me  his  wife,  and  blessed 
me.  How  dared  we  expect  a  blessing  ?  Cuthbert  knew  that 
he  was  defying,  outraging  his  father's  wishes, — and  I  had  earned 
my  title,  by  deception  and  disobedience.  God  help  all  those 
who  build  their  hopes  upon  the  treacherous  sands  of  human 
constancy.  Mr.  Hargrove  laid  his  hand  upon  my  head,  and 
said  in  a  strangely  warning  tone,  I  might  have  known  was  pro 
phetic  :  'Mrs.  Laurance  you  are  the  youngest  wife  1  ever  saw, 
you  are  not  fit  to  be  out  of  the  nursery, — but  I  trust  this  union 
will  not  fulfil  my  forebodings  ; — that  the  result  will  sanction  my 
most  reluctant  performance  of  this  hallowed  ceremony.' 

"  How  supremely  happy  I  was  !  how  unutterably  proud  of  my 
handsome  tender  husband  !  I  do  not  know' whether  even  then, 


INFELICE.  493 

he  truly  loved  me, — or  if  he  merely  intended  me  as  a  pretty  toy 
to  amuse  him  during  the  tedium  of  college  sessions  ;  I  only  re 
member  my  delirious  delight,  my  boundless  exultation.  We 
returned  home,  and  Cuthbert  resumed  his  college  studies,  but 
through  the  co-operation  of  his  room-mate,  he  spent  much  of 
his  time  in  our  cottage.  Peleg  became  troublesome,  and  invid 
ious  reports  were  set  afloat.  I  am  not  aware  whether  grand 
mother  had  always  intended  to  publish  the  marriage  as  soon  as 
consummated,  or  whether  her  breach  of  faith  sprang  from  some 
facts  she  subsequently  discovered;  but  certainly  she  distrusted 
Cuthbert' s  sincerity  of  purpose,  and  taking  Peleg  into  her  con 
fidence,  dispatched  him  to  inform  Gen.  Laurance  of  all  that  had 
occurred.  From  that  hour  Peleg  Peterson  became  my  most 
implacable  and  dangerous  foe. 

"  Dreaming  of  no  danger,  Cuthbert  and  I  had  spent  but  three 
weeks  of  wedded  happiness,  when,  without  premonition,  the  sun 
of  my  joy  was  suddenly  blotted  out.  A  letter  arrived,  speedily 
followed  by  a  telegram  summoning  him  to  the  bedside  of  his 
father — who  was  dangerously  ill.  Oh  fool  that  I  was  !  I  fancied 
heaven  designed  to  remove  a  cruel  parent,  and  thus  obliterate 
all  obstacles  to  the  completion  of  my  bliss.  What  blind  dolts 
young  people  are  !  Cuthbert  was  restless,  suspicious,  unwilling 
to  leave  me,  or  appeared  so,  and  when  we  parted,  he  took  me 
in  his  arms,  kissed  away  my  tears,  implored  heaven  to  watch 
over  his  bride, — his  treasure, — his  wife  ; — and  swore  that  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment,  he  would  hold  '  darling  Minnie  '  to  his 
heart  once  more.  Turn  away  your  face  Regina,  for  it  too  vividly, 
too  intolerably  recalls  his  image  as  he  stood  bidding  me  farewell ; 
his  glossy  black  hair  clinging  in  rings  around  his  white  brow,  his 
magnetic  blue  eyes  gazing  tenderly  into  mine  !  Oh  the  wonder 
ful  charm  of  that  beautiful  treacherous  face  !  Oh  husband  of  my 
love  !  father  of  my  innocent  baby  !  " 

She  threw  herself  into  a  corner  of  the  sofa,  and  the  dry  sob 
that  shook  her  frame,  told  how  keen  was  the  torture.  Regina 
followed,  kneeling  in  front  of  her,  burying  her  face  in  her 
mother's  dress. 


494  INFELICE. 

"  I  saw  him  enter  the  carriage  and  drive  away,  and  thirteen 
years  passed  before  I  looked  upon  him  again.  Of  course  the 
reported  illness  was  a  mere  ruse  to  lull  his  apprehensions.  His 
father  received  him  with  a  hurricane  of  reproaches,  threats,  male 
dictions.  He  taunted,  jeered  him  with  having  been  hood 
winked,  cajoled,  outwitted  by  a  '  wily  old  wash-woman,'  who  had 
inveigled  him  into  a  disgraceful  misalliance  in  order  to  betray 
him,  to  fasten  upon  and  devour  his  wealth.  One  letter  only  I 
received,  from  Cuthbert,  denouncing  grandmother's  treachery, 
and  announcing  his  father's  rage  and  threats  to  disinherit  and 
disown  him  if  he  did  not  repudiate  the  marriage,  which  he  stated 
was  invalid,  on  account  of  his  son's  minority.  He  wrote  that 
he  would  be  compelled  for  the  present  to  accede  to  his  father's 
wishes,  since  for  nearly  two  years  at  least,  he  was  wholly  de 
pendent  on  his  bounty ;  but  assured  me  that  on  the  day  when 
he  could  claim  his  inheritance  from  his  mother,  he  would  ac 
knowledge  his  marriage  at  all  hazards,  and  proclaim  me  his 
wife.  That  letter,  the  first  and  last  I  ever  received  from  my 
husband,  you  can  read  at  your  leisure.  Three  days  after  it  was 
dated,  he  and  his  father  sailed  for  Europe,  and  he  has  never 
returned  to  America. 

"Although  it  was  a  cruel  blow  to  all  my  brilliant  anticipa 
tions,  I  did  not  even  then  dream  of  the  fate  designed  for  me. 
I  loved  on,  trusted  on,  hoped  oh  how  sanguinely  !  My  pride 
was  piqued  at  Gen.  Laurance's  haughty — supercilious  scorn  of 
my  birth  and  blood,  and  I  determined  to  fit  myself  for  the 
proud  niche  I  would  one  day  fill  as  Cuthbert' s  wife.  My  grand 
mother  spoke  French  fluently,  it  was  her  vernacular  ;  and  my 
father  had  left  some  valuable  and  choice  books.  To  these  I 
turned  with  avidity,  prosecuting  my  studies  with  renewed  zest. 
About  three  months  after  my  husband  left  me,  Uncle  Orme  sent 
money  to  defray  our  expenses  to  California.  Grandmother  who 
foreboded  the  future,  told  me  I  had  been  sacrificed,  abandoned, 
repudiated, — and  urged  me  to  accompany  her.  In  return,  I 
indignantly  refused,  charging  her  with  having  fired  the  temple 
of  my  happiness,  by  the  brand  of  her  betrayal  of  the  secret. 


INFELICE.  495 

Recriminations  followed,  we  parted  in  anger  and  she  left  me,  to 
join  Uncle  Orme  ;  but  not  before  acquainting  me  with  the 
startling  fact,  that  Peleg  Peterson  had  declared  his  determination 
to  annul  the  marriage  by  furnishing  infamous  testimony  against 
my  character. 

lt  After  her  departure,  a  man  who  acted  as  agent  for  Gen. 
Laurance  called  to  negotiate  for  a  separation,  advising  me  to 
make  the  best  terms  in  my  power,  as  it  was  useless  for  me  to 
attempt  to  cope  with  Gen.  Laurance,  who  would  mercilessly 
crush  me  if  necessary,  by  the  publication  of  disgraceful  slanders 
which  my  '  old  lover  Peleg  Peterson '  had  sworn  to  prove  in 
open  court.  He  offered  me  five  thousand  dollars  and  my  pas 
sage  to  San  Francisco,  on  condition  of  my  renouncing  all  claim 
to  the  hand  and  name  of  Cuthbert  Laurance.  My  husband  he 
assured  me  had  reached  his  father's  house  in  a  state  of  intoxi 
cation  ;  and  had  since  become  convinced  of  my  unworthiness, 
— and  of  the  necessity  of  severing  forever  all  connection  with 
me.  Not  for  an  instant  did  I  credit  him.  It  seemed  a  vile 
machination,  and  I  scornfully  rejected  all  overtures  for  separa 
tion,  proclaiming  my  resolution  to  assert  and  maintain  my  rights 
as  a  lawful  wife.  It  was  open  war,  and  how  they  derided  my 
proud  demand  for  recognition  ! 

"  Mr.  Andre  left  college  the  week  after  Cuthbert  was  called 
so  unexpectedly  away,  and  disappeared ;  and  grandmother  died 
suddenly  with  rheumatism  of  the  heart,  when  only  a  few  miles 
distant  from  the  harbor  of  her  destination.  Peleg  audaciously 
proposed  that  we  should  ignore  the  empty  worthless  marriage 
ceremony,  accept  the  Laurance  bribe  and  go  away  to  the  far 
west,  where  we  might  begin  life  anew.  He  told  me  my  hus 
band  believed  me  unworthy,  that  he  had  convinced  him  I  would 
dishonor  his  noble  name,  and  that  my  reputation  was  at  his  own 
mercy.  In  my  amazement  and  horror  I  defied  him,  dared  him 
to  do  his  worst ; — and  recklessly  he  accepted  the  rash  challenge. 
Leaving  no  clue,  (as  I  imagined,)  I  secretly  quitted  the  village, 
where  gossip  was  busy  with  my  name,  and  went  to  New  York. 
My  scanty  means  rapidly  melted  away,  and  I  hired  myself  as  a 


496  INFELICE. 

seamstress  in  a  wealthy  family.  Not  even  at  this  stage  of  affairs, 
did  I  lose  faith  in  my  husband,  and  bravely  I  confronted  the 
knowledge  that  at  no  distant  period  I  should  be  forced  to  pro 
vide  for  a  helpless  infant. 

"  One  day,  in  going  down  a  steep  flight  of  steps,  with  a  heavy 
waiter  in  my  hands,  I  missed  my  footing,  fell,— and  was  picked 
up  senseless  on  the  tiled  floor  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs.  A  phy 
sician  living  near  was  called  in,  and  as  I  was  only  the  seam 
stress, — the  information  he  gave  my  employer,  induced  her  to 
send  me  immediately  to  the  hospital — for  pauper  women.  One 
of  my  ankles  was  fractured,  and  the  day  after  my  admission  to 
the  hospital,  you  were  born — prematurely.  In  a  ward  of  that 
hospital,  surrounded  by  strange  but  kind  sympathetic  faces, — 
you  my  darling  opened  your  blue  eyes^ — unwelcomed  by  a 
father's  love,  unnoticed  by  your  wretched  mother  ;  for  I  was 
delirious  for  many  days,  and  you  were  three  weeks  old,  when 
first  I  knew  you  were  my  baby.  Ah  my  daughter  !  why  did 
not  a  merciful  God  order  us  both  out  of  the  world  then,  before 
it  persecuted  and  bruised  us  so  cruelly  ?  I  have  wished  a  thou 
sand  times, — that  you  had  died  before  I  ever  recognized  you  as 
mine  !  " 

"  Oh  Mother  !  Mother,  pity  me.  Do  not  reproach  me  with 
the  life  I  owe  to  you." 

Regina's  features  writhed,  and  pressing  her  face  closer  against 
her  mother's  knee,  she  sobbed  unrestrainedly  : 

"  My  darling — blessings  often  come  so  thoroughly  disguised 
that  we  brand  them  as  curses, — learning  later  that  they  garner 
all  our  earthly  hopes,  sometimes  our  heavenly  ;  and  when  I 
look  at  you  now,  my  soul  yearns  over  you  with  a  love  too  deep 
for  utterance.  I  know  that  you  were  born  to  avenge  your 
wrongs  and  mine, — to  aid  by  your  baby  fingers  in  lifting  the 
load  of  injustice  and  libel  that  has  so  long  borne  me  down. 
You  are  the  one  solitary  comfort  in  all  the  wide  earth,  and  but 
for  you,  I  should  have  given  up  the  struggle  long  ago." 

Softly  she  stroked  the  silky  hair  and  tearful  cheek,  and  lean 
ing  back  continued : 


INFELICE.  497 

11  While  I  was  still  an  inmate  of  the  hospital,  where  I  was 
known  as  Minnie  Merle,  Peleg  Peterson  found  me,  and  pro 
claimed  himself  your  father.  He  was  partly  intoxicated  at  the 
time,  and  was  forcibly  ejected ;  but  the  excitement  of  that  das 
tardly  horrible  charge  threw  me  into  a  relapse,  and  I  was  dan 
gerously  ill.  Lying  beside  me  on  my  cot,  I  watched  your  little 
face,  through  the  slow  hours  of  convalescence,  and  your  tiny 
hands  seemed  to  strengthen  me  for  the  labor  that  beckoned  me 
back  to  life.  For  your  dear  sake,  I  must  brave  the  future.  To 
one  of  the  noble-hearted  gentle  Sisters  of  Charity  who  visited 
the  hospital  and  ministered  like  an  angel  of  mercy  to  you  and 
me,  I  told  enough  of  my  history  to  explain  my  presence  there, 
and  through  her  influence  when  I  was  strong  enough  to  work, 
I  was  placed  in  a  position  where  I  was  permitted  to  keep  you 
with  me  for  a  year.  I  knew  that  my  only  safety  lay  in  hiding 
for  a  time  from  my  enemy,  and  destroying  all  trace  of  my  de 
parture  from  the  hospital,  I  assumed  the  name  of  Odille  Orphia 
Orme,  which  had  belonged  to  a  sister  of  ray  grandmother. 

"  I  was  not  sixteen  when  you  were  born,  and  having  had  my 
head  shaved  during  my  illness,  my  hair  grew  out  the  bright  gold 
you  see  it  now,  instead  of  the  dark  brown  it  had  hitherto  been. 
A  strange  freak  of  nature,  but  a  providential  aid  to  the  disguise 
I  wished  to  maintain.  I  wrote  to  Cuthbert,  informing  him  of 
your  birth,  praying  his  speedy  return  ;  but  no  reply  came, — 
and  again  and  again  1  repeated  the  petition.  At  length  I  was 
answered  by  the  return  of  all  my  letters, — without  a  line  of 
comment.  Then  I  began  to  suspect  what  was  in  store  for  me, 
but  it  threatened  to  drive  me  wild ;  and  I  shut  my  eyes — and 
refused  to  think, — set  my  teeth,  and  hoped,  hoped  still.  The 
two  years  had  almost  expired,  and  when  Cuthbert  was  of  age 
he  would  fly  to  his  wife  and  child,  solacing  them  for  all  they 
had  endured.  I  could  not  afford  to  doubt ; — that  way  lay  mad 
ness  ! 

"  When  you  were  fourteen  months  old,  I  put  you  in  an 
Orphan  Asylum,  where  I  could  see  you  often,  and  took  a  situa 
tion  as  upper  maid  and  seamstress  in  a  fashionable  family  on  Fifth 


498  INF E  LICE. 

Avenue.  My  duties  were  light,  my  employers  were  consider 
ate  and  kind,  and  the  young  ladies  observing  my  desire  to  im 
prove  myself,  gave  me  the  privileges  of  the  library,  which  was 
well  selected  and  extensive.  They  were  very  cultivated 
elegant  people,  and  I  listened  to  their  conversation,  observed 
their  deportment,  and  modelled  my  manners  after  the  example 
they  furnished.  I  was  so  anxious  to  astonish  Cuthbert  by  my 
grace  and  intelligence,  when  he  presented  me  to  his  father,  and 
I  exulted  in  the  thought  that  even  he,  might  one  day  be  proud 
of  his  son's  wife. 

"  How  I  struggled  and  toiled,  sewing  by  day,  reading,  study 
ing  by  night.  Finding  Racine,  Euripides  and  Shakespeare  in 
the  library,  I  perused  them  carefully,  and  accidentally  I  discov 
ered  my  talent.  The  ladies  of  the  house  on  one  occasion  had 
private  theatricals,  and  the  play  was  one  with  which  I  chanced 
to  be  familiar.  At  the  last  rehearsal — on  the  night  of  the  play, 
one  of  the  young  ladies  was  suddenly  seized  with  such  violent 
giddiness,  that  she  was  unable  to  appear  in  the  character  she 
personated,  and  in  the  dilemma  I  was  summoned.  So  success 
ful  was  my  performance — that  I  saw  the  new  path  opening  be 
fore  me,  and  began  to  fit  myself  for  it.  I  gave  every  spare 
moment  to  dramatic  studies,  and  was  progressing  rapidly,  when 
all  hope  was  crushed. 

"  Cuthbert' s  birthday  came, — days,  weeks,  months  rolled  by, 
and  I  wrote  one  more  passionate  prayer  for  recognition  ;  plead 
ing  that  at  least  he  would  allow  me  to  see  him  once  again, — that 
he  would  just  once  look  at  the  lovely  face  of  his  child  ; — then  if 
he  disowned  both  wife  and  child  we  would  ask  him  no  more. 
How  I  counted  the  weeks  that  crawled  away  ; — how  fondly  I  still 
hoped  that  now,  being  of  age  and  free,  he  would  fulfil  his  promise. 

You  were  two  years  and  a  half  old,  and  I  went  one  Sunday 
to  visit  you. 

"  How  well  I  recollect  your  appearance  on  that  fatal  day. 
Your  bare  pearly  feet  gleaming  on  the  floor  over  which  I 
guided  your  uncertain  steps,  as  you  tottered  along  clinging  to 
my  finger, — your  dimpled  neck  and  arms  displayed  by  the 


INFELICE.  499 

white  muslin  slip,  my  hands  had  fashioned, — your  jetty  hair 
curling  thick  and  close  over  your  round  head, — your  small 
milk-white  teeth  sparkling  through  your  open  lips, — as  your 
large  soft  violet  eyes  laughed  up  in  my  face  ! — so  glad  you  were 
to  see  me  !  You  had  never  seemed  so  lovely  before,  and  I 
knelt  down  and  hugged  you,  my  darling.  I  kissed  your  dainty 
feet  and  hands,  your  lips  and  eyes — so  like  Cuthbert's, — and  I 
know  as  I  caressed  you  my  heart  swelled  with  the  fond  pride 
that  only  mothers  can  understand  and  feel,  and  I  whispered — 
Papa's  baby  !  Papa's  own  darling  !  Cuthbert's  baby  ! ' 

"  It  was  harder  than  usual  to  quit  you  that  day;  you  clung 
to  me,  nestled  close  to  me,  stole  your  little  hand  into  my 
bosom,  and  finally  fell  asleep.  When  I  laid  you  softly  down 
in  your  low  truckle-bed,  the  tears  would  come  and  hang  on  my 
lashes,  and  while  I  lingered,  passing  my  hand  over  your  dear 
pretty  feet,  I  determined  that  if  Cuthbert  did  not  come,  or 
write  very  soon,  I  would  take  you  and  go  in  search  of  him. 
What  man  could  shut  his  arms  and  heart,  against  such  a  lovely 
babe  who  owed  him  her  being  ? 

"  It  was  late  when  I  got  home,  and  the  lady  with  whom  I 
lived,  sent  for  me  in  great  haste.  Guests  had  unexpectedly 
come  from  a  distance,  dinner  must  be  served,  and  the  butler 
had  been  called  away  inopportunely  to  one  of  his  children, 
who  had  been  terribly  scalded.  Could  I  oblige  her  by  con 
senting  to  serve  the  visitors  at  table  ?  She  was  a  good  mistress 
to  me,  and  of  course  1  did  not  hesitate.  One  of  the  guests 
was  a  nephew  of  the  host,  and  recently  returned  from  Europe, 
as  I  learned  from  the  conversation.  When  the  dessert  was 
being  set  upon  the  table,  he  said  :  *  No — I  rather  liked  him ; 
none  are  perfect  and  he  has  sowed  his  wild  oats,  and  settled 
down.  Marriage  is  a  strong  social  anchor,  and  his  bride  is  a 
very  heavy-looking  woman,  though  enormously  rich  I  hear. 
It  is  said  thai  his  father  manoeuvred  the  match,  for  Cuthbert 
liked  being  fancy  free.' 

"The  name  startled  me,  and  the  master  of  the  house  asked: 
'  Of  whom  are  you  speaking  ?  '  *  Cuthbert  Laurance  and  his 


500  INFELICE. 

recent  marriage  with  Abbie  Ames — the  banker's  daughter.' 
My  mistress  pulled  my  dress  and  directed  me  to  bring  a  bottle 
of  champagne  from  the  side  table.  I  stood  like  a  stone,  and 
she  repeated  the  command.  As  I  lifted  the  wine  and  started 
back,  the  stranger  added  :  '  Here  is  an  account  of  the  wedding ; 
quite  a  brilliant  affair,  and  as  I  witnessed  the  nuptials  I  can 
testify  the  description  is  not  exaggerated.  They  were  married 
in  Paris,  and  General  Laurance  presented  the  bride  with  a 
beautiful  set  of  diamonds.'  The  bottle  fell  with  a  crash,  and  in 
the  confusion,  I  tottered  toward  the  butler's  pantry — and  sank 
down  insensible. 

"  Oh  the  awful,  intolerable  agony  that  has  been  my  portion 
ever  since  !  Do  you  wonder  that  Laurance  is  a  synonyme  for 
all  that  is  cruel, — wicked  ?  Is  it  st^inge  that  at  times  I  loathe 
the  sight  of  your  face,  which  mocks  me  with  the  assurance  that 
you  are  his — as  well  as  mine  ?  Oh  most  unfortunate  child ! 
cursed  with  the  fatal  beauty  of  him,  who  wrecked  your  mother's 
life,  and  denies  you  even  his  infamous  name  ! " 

She  sprang  up,  broke  away  from  her  daughter's  arms,  and 
resumed  her  walk. 

"  After  that  day,  I  was  a  different  woman, — hard,  bitter,  re 
lentless,  desperate.  In  the  room  of  hope — reigned  hate,  and  I 
dedicated  the  future  to  revenge.  I  had  heard  Mr.  Palma's 
name  mentioned  as  the  most  promising  lawyer  at  the  Bar,  and 
though  he  was  a  young  man  then,  he  inspired  all  who  knew 
him  with  confidence  and  respect.  Withholding  only  my  hus 
band's  name,  I  gave  him  my  history,  and  sought  legal  advice. 
A  suit  would  result  in  the  foul  and  fatal  aspersion,  which  Peleg 
was  waiting  to  pour  like  an  inky  stream  upon  my  character, 
and  we  ascertained  that  he  was  in  the  pay  of  the  Laurances, 
and  would  testify  according  to  their  wishes  and  purposes. 
There  was  no  proof  of  my  marriage,  unless  Mr.  Hargrove  had 
preserved  the  license, — the  record  of  which  had  been  destroyed 
by  the  burning  of  the  court-house.  Where  were  the  witnesses  ? 
Grandmother  was  dead, — and  it  was  rumored  Mr.  Audre  had 
perished  in  a  fishing  excursion  off  the  Labrador  coast. 


INFELICE.  501 

"  Mr.  Palma  advised  me  to  wait,  to  patiently  watch  for  an 
opportunity,  pledging  himself  to  do  all  that  legal  skill  could  ef 
fect  ; — and  nobly  he  has  redeemed  his  promise  to  the  desolate, 
friendless,  broken-hearted  woman  who  appealed  to  him  for  aid. 

"  I  succeeded  after  several  repulses,  in  securing  a  very  humble 
position  in  one  of  the  small  theatres,  where  I  officiated  first 
with  scissors  and  needle,  in  fitting  costumes  and  in  various 
other  menial  employments ;  studying  ceaselessly  all  the  while 
to  prepare  myself  for  the  stage.  The  manager  became  inter 
ested,  encouraged  me,  tested  me  at  rehearsals,  and  at  last  after 
an  arduous  struggle,  I  made  my  debut  at  the  benefit  of  one  of 
the  stock  actors.  My  name  was  adroitly  whispered  about,  one 
or  two  mysterious  paragraphs  were  published  at  the  expense 
of  the  actor, — and  so — curiosity  gave  me  an  audience,  and  an 
opportunity. 

"  That  night  seemed  the  crisis  of  my  destiny  ;  if  I  failed, 
what  would  become  of  my  baby  ?  Already  my  love,  you  were 
my  supreme  thought.  But  I  did  not,  my  face — was  a  great 
success  ;  my  acting  was  pronounced  wonderful,  by  the  dram 
atic  critic  to  whom  the  beneficiary  sent  a  complimentary  ticket, 
and  after  that  evening  I  had  no  difficulty  in  securing  an  en 
gagement  that  proved  very  successful. 

"  A  year  after  I  learned  that  Cuthbert  had  married  a  second 
time,  I  went  to  V to  see  Mr.  Hargrove,  and  obtain  pos 
session  of  my  license.  The  good  man  only  gave  me  a  copy, 
to  which  he  added  his  certificate  of  the  solemnization  of  my 
marriage  ;  but  he  sympathized  very  deeply  with  my  unhappy 
condition  and  promised  in  any  emergency  to  befriend  you,  my 
darling.  A  few  hours  after  I  left  the  Parsonage  it  was  entered 
and  robbed,  and  the  license  he  refused  me,  was  stolen.  Long 
afterward  I  learned  he  suspected  me." 

Here  Regina  narrated  her  discovery  of  the  mysterious  facts 
connected  with  the  loss  of  the  paper,  and  her  first  knowledge 
of  Peleg  Peterson.  As  she  explained  the  occurrences  that 
succeeded  the  storm,  Mrs.  Orme  almost  scowled,  and  resumed : 

"  He  has  been  the  bete  noire  of  my  ill-starred  life,  but  even 


502  INFELICE. 

his  malice  has  been  satiated  at  last.  Anxious  to  shield  you 
from  the  possibility  of  danger,  and  from  all  contaminating 
influences  and  association,  I  carried  you  to  a  distant  convent ; 
the  same  with  which  grandmother  had  threatened  me,  and 
placed  you  under  the  sacred  shadow  of  the  Nuns'  protection. 
Then  assured  of  your  safety,  and  that  your  education  would 
not  be  neglected,  I  devoted  myself  completely  to  my  profes 
sion.  From  city  to  city  I  wandered  in  quest  of  fame  and 
money,  both  so  essential  to  the  accomplishment  of  my 
scheme ; — a  scheme  that  goaded  me  sleeping  and  waking, 
leaving  no  moment  of  repose. 

"  One  night  in  Chicago,  having  overtaxed  my  strength,  I 
fainted  on  the  street,  en  route  from  the  theatre,  and  while  my 
servant  fled  for  assistance,  I  was  found  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waul, 
and  taken  to  their  home.  Their  kind  hearts  warmed  toward 
me,  and  no  parents  could  have  been  more  tenderly  watchful 
than  they  have  proved  ever  since.  They  supplied  a  need  of 
protection,  of  which  I  was  growing  painfully  conscious,  and  I 
engaged  them  to  travel  with  me. 

"  Once  I  took  three  days  out  of  my  busy  life,  and  visited 
the  old  family  homestead  of  Gen.  Laurance.  The  owner  was 
in  Europe,  the  house  closed  ;  but  standing  unnoticed  under 
the  venerable  oaks  that  formed  the  avenue  of  approach  to  the 
ancestral  halls  of  my  husband, — I  looked  at  the  stately  pile, 
and  the  broad  fields  that  surrounded  it,  and  called  upon  Heaven 
to  spare  me  long  enough  to  see  my  child  the  regnant  heiress  of 
all  that  proud  domain.  There  I  vowed  that  cost  what  it 
might,  I  would  accomplish  my  revenge,  would  place  you  there 
as  owner  of  that  noble  inheritance. 

"Through  Mr.  Palma's  inquiries  concerning  the  records,  I 
ascertained  that  this  property  had  been  settled  upon  Cuthbert, 
on  the  week  of  his  second  marriage.  You  were  ten  years  old 
when  I  determined  to  go  to  Europe  and  consummate  my  plan. 
Peleg  had  disappeared,  and  I  knew  that  the  other  agent  of  the 
Laurances  had  lost  all  trace  of  me.  You  were  so  grieved  be 
cause  I  left  for  Europe  without  bidding  you  good-by  !  Ah, 


INFELICE.  503 

my  sweet  child  !  You  never  knew  that  it  was  the  hardest  trial 
of  my  life,  to  put  the  ocean  between  us,  and  that  I  was  too 
cowardly  to  witness  your  distress  at  the  separation,  that  was  so 
uncertain  in  duration. 

"  Could  I  have  gone  without  the  sight  of  my  precious  baby  ? 
I  reached  the  convent  about  dusk,  and  informed  the  sisters 
that  I  deemed  it  best  to  transfer  you  to  the  guardianship  of 
two  gentlemen,  one  of  whom  would  come  and  take  you  away, 
the  ensuing  week.  Through  a  crevice  of  the  dormitory  door, 
I  watched  you  undress, — envied  the  gentle  nun  who  gathered 
up  your  long  hair  and  tied  over  it  the  little  white  ruffled  muslin 
cap  ;  and  when  you  knelt  by  your  small  curtained  bed,  and 
repeated  your  evening  prayers,  adding  a  special  petition  that 
'  Heavenly  Father  would  bless  dear  mother  and  keep  her  safe' 
I  stifled  my  sobs  in  my  handkerchief.  When  you  were  asleep 
I  crept  in  on  tip-toe,  and  while  Sister  Angela  held  the  lamp,  I 
drew  aside  the  curtain  and  looked  at  you.  How  the  sweet 
face  of  my  baby — stirred  all  the  tenderness  that  was  left  in  my 
embittered  nature  !  As  you  slumbered,  you  threw  your  feet 
outside  the  cover,  and  murmured  in  your  musical  childish 
babble  something  indistinct  about  'mother,  and  our  Blessed 
Lady. ' 

"  My  heart  yearned  over  you,  but  I  could  not  bear  the  thought 
of  hearing  your  peculiarly  plaintive  wailing  cry,  which  always 
pierced  my  soul  so  painfully,  and  I  softly  kissed  your  feet  and 
hurried  away.  Come — put  your  arms  around  my  neck,  and  kiss 
me,  my  lovely  fatherless  child  !  " 

For  some  seconds  Mrs.  Orme  held  her  in  a  warm  embrace. 

"  There  sit  down.  Little  remains  to  be  told,  but  how  bitter  ! 
Here  in  Paris,  while  playing  '  Amy  Robsart,' — I  saw  once  more, 
after  the  lapse  of  thirteen  years, — the  man  who  had  so  con 
temptuously  repudiated  me.  Regina  if  ever  you  are  so  unfor 
tunate,  so  deluded,  as  to  deeply  and  sincerely  love  any  man, 
and  live  to  know  that  you  are  forgotten, — that  another  woman 
wears  the  name  and  receives  the  caresses  that  once  made 
heaven  in  your  heart, — then,  and  only  then,  can  you  realize 


504  INFELICE. 

what  I  suffered,  while  looking  at  Cuthbert,  with  that  other  crea 
ture  at  his  side, — acknowledged  his  wife  !  I  thought  I  had  pet 
rified,  had  ceased  to  feel  aught  but  loathing  and  hate,  but  ah  ! — 
the  agony  of  that  intolerable, — that  maddening  sight !  Ask 
God  for  a  shroud  and  coffin, — rather  than  endure  what  I  suf 
fered  that  night  !  " 

She  was  too  much  engrossed  by  her  mournful  retrospective 
task,  to  observe  the  deadly  pallor  that  overspread  Regina's  face, 
as  the  girl  rested  her  head  on  the  arm  of  the  sofa  and  passed 
her  fingers  across  her  eyes,  striving  to  veil  the  image  of  one, 
beyond  the  broad  Atlantic's  sweep  and  roar. 

"At  last  I  began  to  taste  the  sweet  prison  of  my  revenge. 
Cuthbert  did  not  suspect  my  identity,  but  he  was  strangely  fas 
cinated  by  my  face — and  acting.  Openly  indifferent  to  the 
woman,  with  whom  his  father  had  linked  him,  and  provided  with 
no  conscientious  scruples,  he  audaciously  expressed  his  admira 
tion,  and  contrived  an  interview,  to  commence  his  advances. 
He  avowed  sentiments  disloyal  to  the  heiress  who  wore  his 
name  and  jewels,  and  insulting  tome  had  I  been  what  he  sup 
posed  me, — merely  Odille  Orme  a  pretty  actress.  I  repulsed 
and  derided  him,  forbidding  him  my  presence  ;  and  none  can 
appreciate  the  exquisite  delight  it  afforded  me  to  humiliate  and 
torture  him.  When  it  was  a  crime  in  the  sight  of  man,  he 
really  began  to  love  the  woman,  who — in  God's  sight — was  his 
own  lawful  wife  ;  and  his  punishment  was  slowly  approaching. 

"  My  health  gave  way  under  the  unnatural  pressure  of  acting 
evening  after  evening,  with  his  handsome  magnetic  face  watch 
ing  every  feature,  every  inflection  of  my  voice.  I  was  ordered 
to  rest  in  Italy,  and  when  I  learned  I  should  there  meet  Gen. 
eral  Laurance,  I  consented  to  go.  Before  leaving  Paris,  I  saw 
the  only  child  of  that  hideous  iniquitous  sham  marriage  ;  and 
darling  when  I  contrasted  you,  my  own  pure  pearl,  with  the 
deformed,  dwarfish,  repulsive  daughter — whom  the  Nemesis  of 
my  wrongs  gave  to  Cuthbert,  in  little  Maud  Laurance — I  almost 
shouted  aloud  in  my  great  exultation.  You  so  beautiful,  with 
his  own  lineaments  in  every  feature, — disowned  for  that  mis- 


INF  ELI  CE.  505 

shapen,  imbecile  heiress  of  his  proud  name.     Oh  mills  of  the 
Gods  !  how  delicious  the  slow  music  of  their  grinding  ! 

"  Thus  far  my  daughter,  I  have  shown  you  all  your  mother's 
wretched  past,  and  now  I  shrink  from  the  last  blotted  pages. 
Hitherto  my  record  was  blameless, — but  even  now  take  care 
how  you  judge  the  mother, — who  if  she  has  gone  astray  did  it 
for  you,  all  for  you.  For  some  time  I  had  known  that  Cuthbert 
was  living  in  reckless  extravagance,  that  the  affairs  of  the  father- 
in-law  were  dangerously  involved,  and  that  without  his  own 
father's  knowledge  Cuthbert  had  borrowed  large  sums  in  Lon 
don  and  Paris,  securing  the  loans  by  mortgages  on  his  real  estate 
in  America  ;  especially  the  elegant  homestead,  preserved  for 
several  generations  in  his  family.  Employing  two  shrewd  He 
brew  brokers,  I  by  degrees  bought  up  those  mortgages,  strain 
ing  every  effort  to  effect  the  purchase. 

"  When  I  reached  Milan,  I  sat  one  night  pondering  what  was 
most  expedient.  It  was  apparent  that  in  a  suit  for,  and  publi 
cation  of  my  real  title,  and  rights,  I  should  be  defeated  by  the 
disgrace  hurled  upon  me ;  and  to  subject  the  Laurances  to  the 
humiliation  of  a  court  scandal,  would  poorly  indemnify  me  for 
the  horrible  stain  which  Peterson's  foul  claim  would  entail  upon 
your  innocent  but  premature  birth.  My  health  was  feeble,  con 
sumption  threatened  my  lungs,  and  Mr.  Palma  urged  me  to  at 
tempt  no  legal  redress  for  my  injuries.  I  could  not  die  without 
one  more  struggle  to  see  you  righted, — clothed  with  your  law 
ful  name. 

"  My  daughter,  my  darling,  let  all  my  love  for  you,  plead 
vehemently  in  my  defence,  when  I  tell  you,  that  for  your 
dear  sake  I  made  a  desperate,  an  awful,  a  sickening  resolve. 
Gen.  Laurance  was  infatuated  by  my  beauty,  which  has  been  as 
fatal  to  his  house,  as  his  name  to  me.  Like  many  handsome 
old  men,  he  was  inordinately  vain,  and  imagined  himself  irre 
sistible  ;  and  when  he  persecuted  me  with  attentions  that  might 
have  compromised  a  woman  less  prudent,  and  prudish  than  I 
bore  myself,  I  determined  to  force  him  to  an  offer  of  his  hand, 
— to  marry  him." 
22 


5o6  IN  FELICE, 

With  a  sharp  cry  Regina  sprang  up. 

"  Mother— not  him  !     Not  my  father's  father !  " 

"Yes  Ren£  Laurance,  my  husband's  father." 

With  a  gesture  of  horror,  the  girl  groaned  and  covered  her 
white  convulsed  face. 

"  Mother  !  Could  my  mother — commit  such  a  loathsome, 
awful  crime  against  God,  and  nature  ?  " 

"  It  was  for  your  sake  my  darling  !"  cried  Mrs.  Orme  wring 
ing  her  hands,  as  she  saw  the  shudder  with  which  her  child  re 
pulsed  her. 

"  For  my  sake  that  you  stained  your  dear  pure  hands  !  For 
my  sake  that  you  steeped  your  soul  in  guilt  that  even  brutal 
savages  abhor,  and  loaded  your  name  and  memory  with  infamy  ? 
In  his  desertion  my  father  sinned  against  me, — and  freely,  be 
cause  he  is  my  father  I  could  forgive  him  ; — but  you — the  im 
maculate  mother  of  my  lifelong  worship, — you  who  have  reigned 
white-souled  and  angelic  over  all  my  hopes,  my  aspirations, 
my  love  and  reverence — oh  mother  !  mother  you  have  doubly 
wronged  me  !  The  disgrace  of  your  unnatural  and  heinous 
crime — I  can  never,  never  pardon  !  " 

With  averted  head  she  stood  apart,  a  pitiable  picture  of 
misery — that  could  find  no  adequate  expression. 

"  My  baby, — my  love — my  precious  daughter  !  " 

Ah  the  pleading  pathos  of  that  marvellous  voice  which  had 
swayed  at  will  the  emotions  of  vast  audiences,  as  soft  fitful  zeph 
yrs  stir  and  bow  the  tender  grasses  in  quiet  meadows  !  Slowly 
the  girl  turned  around,  and  reluctantly  looked  at  the  beloved 
beautiful  face,  tearful  yet  smiling,  beaming  with  such  passionate 
tenderness  upon  her. 

Mrs.  Orme  opened  her  arms,  and  Regina  sprang  forward, 
sinking  on  her  knees  at  her  mother's  feet,  clinging  to  her  dress. 

"  You  could  not  smile  upon  me  so,  with  that  sin  soiling  your 
soul !  Oh  mother,  say  you  did  it  not !" 

"  God  had  mercy,  and  saved  me  from  it." 

"Let  us  praise  and  serve  Him  forever, — in  thanksgiving," 
Bobbed  the  daughter. 


INFELICE.  507 

"  I  see  now  that  my  punishment  would  have  been  unendur 
able,  for  I  should  have  lost  the  one  true,  pure  heart  that  clings 
to  me.  How  do  mothers  face  their  retribution  I  wonder, — 
when  they  disgrace  their  innocent  little  ones, — and  see  shame, 
and  horror,  and  aversion  in  the  soft  faces  that  slept  upon  their 
bosoms — and  once  looked  in  adoration  at  the  heaven  of  their 
eyes  ?  Even  in  this  life,  the  pangs  of  the  lost  must  seize  all  such. 

"I  did  not  marry  Gen.  Laurance,  though  I  entertained  the 
purpose  of  a  merely  nominal  union,  and  he  acceded  to  my  con 
ditions,  signing  a  marriage  contract,  to  adopt  you,  give  you  his 
name, — settle  upon  you  all  his.  remaining  fortune,  except  the 
real  estate  which  I  knew  he  had  transferred  to  his  son.  I  think 
my  intense  hate  and  thirst  for  vengeance  temporarily  mad 
dened  me  ;  for  certainly  had  I  been  quite  sane,  I  should  never 
have  forced  myself  to  hang  upon  the  verge  of  such  an  odious 
gulf.  I  was  tempted  by  the  prospect  of  making  you  the  real 
heiress  of  the  Laurance  name  and  wealth,  and  of  beggaring 
Cuthbert,  his  so-called  wife  and  crippled  child,  by  displaying 
the  mortgage  I  held  ;  and  which — will  yet  sweep  them  to  pen 
ury,  for  the  banker  has  failed,  and  Abbie  Ames  is  penniless  as 
Minnie  Merle  once  was. 

"  While  I  floated  down  the  dark  stream  to  ruin,  a  blessed  in 
terposing  hand  arrested  me.  Mr.  Palma  wrote  that  at  last  a 
glorious  day  of  hope  dawned  on  my  weary  starless  night.  Ger- 
bert  Audre  was  alive  and  anxious  to  testify  to  the  validity  of 
my  marriage,  and  the  perfect  sanity  and  sobriety  of  Cuthbert 
when  it  was  solemnized,  (his  father  was  prepared  to  plead  that 
he  was  insane  from  intoxication  when  he  was  inveigled  into  the 
ceremony)  ; — and  oh — better,  best  of  all,  my  persecutor  had 
relented  !  Peleg  swore  that  his  assertions  regarding  my  char 
acter  were  untrue,  were  prompted  by  malice^  stimulated  by 
Laurance  gold.  Having  been  arrested  by  Mr.  Palma  and  car 
ried  before  a  magistrate,  he  had  written  and  signed  a  noble 
vindication  of  me.  To  you  he  avows,  I  owe  his  tardy  recanta 
tion  and  complete  justification  of  my  past ;  and  you  will  find 
among  those  papers,  his  letter  to  me  upon  this  subject. 


5o8  INFEL1CL. 

"My  daughter,  what  do  we  not  owe  to  Erie  Palma?  God 
bless  him — now — and  forever  !  And  may  the  dearest,  fondest 
wishes  of  his  heart  be  fulfilled  as  completely,  as  have  been  his 
promises  to  me." 

Regina's  face  was  shrouded  by  her  mother's  dress,  but  think 
ing  of  Mrs.  Carew,  she  sank  lower  at  Mrs.  Orme's  feet,  know 
ing  that  her  sad  heart  could  not  echo  that  prayer. 

"  As  yet — my  identity  has  not  been  suspected,  but  the  end  is 
at  hand,  and  I  am  about  to  break  the  vials  of  wrath  upon  theii 
heads.  Mr.  Palma  only  waits  to  hear  from  me,  to  bring  suit 
against  Cuthbert  for  desertion  and  bigamy,  and  against  Rene 
Laurance,  the  arch-demon  of  my  luckless  married  life,  for  wilful 
slander,  premeditated  defamation  of  character.  My  lawful  un 
stained  \vifehood  will  be  established, — your  spotless  birth  and 
lineage  triumphantly  proclaimed ;  and  I  shall  see  my  own 
darling,  my  Regina  Laurance  reigning  as  mistress  in  the  halls 
of  her  ancestors.  To  confront  you  with  your  father  and  grand 
father,  I  have  called  you  to  Paris,  and  when  I  have  talked  with 
Uncle  Orme,  whose  step  I  hear,  I  shall  be  able  to  tell  you 
definitely  of  the  hour  when  the  thunderbolt  will  be  hurled  into 
the  camp  of  our  enemies.  Kiss  me  good-night.  God  bless  my 
child." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

JETER  a  sleepless  night,  Cuthbert  Laurance  sat  in  dress 
ing  gown  and  slippers,  before  the  table,  on  which  was 
arranged  his  breakfast.  In  his  right  hand  he  held 
partly  lifted,  the  cup  of  coffee  ;  upon  the  left  he  rested  his  nead, 
seeming  abstracted,  oblivious  of  the  dainty  dishes  that  invited 
his  attention. 


INFELICE.  (509 

The  graceful  insouciance  of  the  Sybarite,  had  vanished,  and 
though  the  thirty-seven  years  of  his  life  had  dealt  very  gently 
with  his  manly  beauty,  leaving  few  lines  about  his  womanishly 
fair  brow,  he  seemed  to-day  gravely  preoccupied,  anxious  and 
depressed.  Pushing  back  his  chair,  he  sat  for  some  time  in  a 
profound  and  evidently  painful  reverie,  and  when  his  father 
came  in,  and  closed  the  door  behind  him,  the  cloud  of  appre 
hension  deepened. 

"  Good-morning  Ctithbert,  I  must  compliment  you  on  your 
early  hours.  How  is  Maud  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  her  this  morning.  Victorine  usually  takes 
her  out  at  this  time  of  day.  I  hope  after  a  night's  reflection  and 
rest,  you  feel  disposed  to  afford  me  more  comfort  than  you  ex 
tended  last  evening.  The  fact  is,  unless  you  come  forward  and 
help  me,  I  shall  be  utterly  ruined." 

Gen.  Laurance  lighted  his  cigar,  and  standing  before  his  son, 
answered  coldly  : 

"  I  beg  you  to  recollect  that  my  resources  are  not  quite  inex 
haustible,  and  last  year  when  I  gave  that  Chicago  property  to 
you,  I  explained  the  necessity  of  curbing  your  reckless  extrava 
gance.  Were  I  possessed  of  Rothschild's  income,  it  would  not 
suffice  to  keep  upon  his  feet  a  man  who  sells  himself  to  the 
Devil  of  the  Gaming  Table,  and  entertains  with  the  prodigality 
of  a  crown  Prince.  I  never  dreamed  until  last  night  that  the 
real  estate  at  home  is  encumbered  by  mortgages,  and  it  will 
be  an  everlasting  shame  if  the  homestead  should  be  sacrificed ; 
but  I  can  do  no  more  for  you.  This  failure  of  Ames,  is  a  dis 
graceful  affair,  and  I  understand  soils  his  reputation — past  all 
hope  of  purification.  How  long  does  Abbie  expect  to  remain 
in  Nice  ?  It  does  not  look  well  I  can  tell  you,  that  she  should 
go  off  and  leave  Maud  with  her  bonne" 

"  Oh !  for  that  matter  Maud  is  better  off  here,  where  she  can 
be  seen  regularly  by  the  physician,  and  Victorine  knows  much 
better  what  to  do  for  her,  than  her  mother.  Abbie  is  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  change  in  her  father's,  and  in  my  own  affairs, 
and  I  should  suppose  she  would  have  returned  immediately  after 


5*0  WFELICE. 

the  receipt  of  the  intelligence,  especially  as  I  informed  her  that 
*ve  should  be  compelled  to  return  to  America." 

"  I  shall  telegraph  her  to  come  back  at  once,  for  I  hear  that 
die  is  leading  a  very  gay  life  at  Nice,  and  that  her  conduct  is 
act  wholly  compatible  with  her  duties  as  a  wife  and  mother." 

An  expression  of  subdued  sc.orn  passed  over  Cuthbert's  face, 
as  he  answered  sarcastically  : 

"  Probably  your  influence  may  avail  to  hasten  her  return.  As 
for  her  peculiar  views,  and  way  of  conducting  herself, — I 
imagine  it  is  rather  too  late  for  you  to  indulge  in  fastidious 
carpings,  as  you  selected  and  presented  her  to  me — as  a  suita 
ble  bride,  particularly  acceptable  to  you  for  a  daughter-in-law." 

"  When  men  live  as  you  have  done  since  your  marriage,  it 
is  scarcely  surprising  that  wives  should  emulate  their  lax  exam 
ple.  You  have  never  disguised  your  indifference  as  a  hus 
band." 

"  No  Sir.  When  I  made  merchandise  of  my  hand,  I  deemed 
that  sacrifice  sufficient,  and  have  never  pretended  to  include 
my  heart  in  the  bargain.  But  why  deal  in  recrimination? 
Past  mistakes  are  irremediable,,  and  it  behooves  me  to  consider 
only  the  future.  Were  it  not  for  poor  Maud,  I  really  should 
care  very  little,  but  her  helplessness  appeals  to  me  now  more 
forcibly,  than  all  other  considerations.  You  say  Sir,  that  you 
cannot  help  me, — why  not?  At  this  crisis  a  few  shares  of 
stock,  and  some  of  those  sterling  bonds  would  enable  me  to 
pay  off  my  pressing  personal  debts  ;  and  I  could  get  away  from 
Paris — with  less  annoying  notoriety  and  scandal,  which  above 
all  things,  I  abhor.  I  only  ask  the  means  of  retiring  from  my 
associations  here,  without  disgrace,  and  once  safely  out  of 
France,  I  shall  care  little  for  the  future.  You  certainly  cannot 
consent  to  see  me  stranded  here, — where  my  position  and 
menage  have  been  so  proud  ?  " 

General  Laurance  puffed  vigorously  at  his  cigar  for  some 
seconds,  then  tossed  it  down,  put  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  and 
said  abruptly  : 

"  When  I  told  you  last  night  that  I  could  not  help  you,  J 


INFELICE.  511 

meant  it.  The  stocks  and  bonds  you  require,  have  already 
been  otherwise  appropriated.  I  daresay  Cuthbert,  you  will  be 
astonished  at  what  I  am  about  to  communicate,  but  whatever 
your  opinion  of  the  step  I  have  determined  to  take,  I  request 
in  advance,  that  you  will  refrain  from  any  disagreeable  com 
ments.  For  thirty-seven  years,  I  have  devoted  myself  to  the 
promotion  of  your  interest  and  happiness,  and  you  must  admit, 
you  have  often  sorely  tried  my  patience.  If  you  have  at  last 
made  shipwreck  of  your  favorable  financial  prospects,  it  is  no 
longer  in  my  power  to  set  you  afloat  again.  Cuthbert  1  am  on 
the  eve  of  assuming  new  responsibilities  that  require  all  the 
means,  your  luxurious  mode  of  living  has  left  me.  I  am  going 
to  marry  again." 

"  To  marry  again  !     Are  you  approaching  your  dotage  ?  " 

The  son  had  risen,  and  his  handsome  face  was  full  of  undis 
guised  scorn,  as  his  eyes  res-ted  on  his  father's  haughty,  and 
offended  countenance. 

"  Whatever  your  dissatisfaction,  you  will  be  wise,  in  repressing 
it  at  least  in  your  remarks  to  me.  I  am  no  longer  young,  but 
am  very  far  from  senility ;  and  finding  no  harmony  in  your 
household,  no  peaceful  fireside  where  I  can  spend  the  residue 
of  my  days  in  quiet,  I  have  finally  consulted  the  dictates  of  my 
own  heart,  and  am  prompted  by  the  hope  of  great  happiness 
with  the  woman  whom  I  sincerely  love, — to  marry  her.  Under 
these  circumstances  you  can  readily  appreciate  my  inability  to 
transfer  the  stocks,  which  it  appears  you  have  relied  upon  to 
float  you  out  of  this  financial  storm." 

Cuthbert  bowed  profoundly,  and  answered  contemptuously  : 

"  They  have  I  presume  already  been  transferred  in  the  form 
of  a  marriage  contract  ?  Pardon  me  Sir, — but  may  I  inquire 
whom  you  design  to  fill  my  mother's  place  ?  " 

"  I  expect  within  a  few  days  to  present  to  you  as  my  wife, 
ihe  loveliest  woman  in  all  Europe,  one  as  noble,  refined,  modest 
and  delicate  as  she  is  everywhere  conceded  to  be  beautiful, — 
the  celebrated  Madame  Odille  Orme." 

An  unconquerable  embarrassment  caused  his  eyes  to  wander 


512  INFELICE. 

from  his  son's  face  as  he  pronounced  the  name,  else  he  would 
have  discovered  the  start, — the  pallor  with  which  the  intelli 
gence  was  received.  Cuthbert  turned  and  stood  at  the  window, 
with  his  back  to  his  father,  and  the  convulsive  movement  of  his 
features  attested  the  profound  pain  which  the  announcement 
caused. 

"  Madame  Orme — is  not  an  ordinary  actress,  and  has  always 
maintained  a  reputation  quite  rare  among  those  of  her  pro 
fession.  I  have  carefully  studied  her  character,  think  I  have 
seen  it  sufficiently  tested  to  satisfy  even  my  fastidious  standard 
of  female  propriety  and  decorum  ;  and  knowing  how  proudly  and 
jealously  I  guard  my  honor  and  my  name,  you  may  rest  assured 
I  have  not  risked  anything  in  committing  both,  to  the  keeping  of 
this  woman,  to  whom  I  am  very  deeply  and  tenderly  attached. 
She  told  me  she  had  met  you  once.  How  did  she  impress  you  ?  " 

It  cost  him  a  strong  effort  to  answer  composedly  : 

"  She  certainly  is  the  most  beautiful  woman  I  have  seen  in 
Europe." 

"  Ah  !  and  sweet  as  she  is  lovely  !  My  son,  do  not  diminish 
my  happiness  by  unkind  thoughts  and  expressions,  which 
would  result  in  our  estrangement.  No  father  could  have 
devoted  himself  more  assiduously  to  a  child,  than  I  have  done 
to  you,  and  in  my  old  age,  if  this  marriage  brings  me  so  much 
delight  and  comfort,  have  I  not  earned  the  right  to  consider  my 
own  happiness  ?  It  is  quite  natural  that  you  should  be  sur 
prised, — and  to  some  extent  chagrined  at  my  determination  to 
settle  a  portion  of  my  property  upon  a  new  claimant  for  my 
love  and  protection  ;  but  I  hope — for  the  sake  of  all  concerned, 
you  will  at  least  indulge  in  no  harsh,  or  disrespectful  remarks. 
I  have  been  requested  to  invite  you  to  accompany  me  to  the 
Theatre  to-night,  to  witness  Madame  Orme's  farewell  to  the 
Stage,  in  a  drama  of  her  own  composition.  After  this  evening 
she  appears  no  more  in  public,  and  at  the  close  of  the  play  she 
desires  that  we  shall  meet  her  at  her  hotel.  I  trust  you  will 
courteously  fulfil  the  engagement  I  have  made  for  you,  as  I  as 
sured  her  she  might  expect  us  both." 


fNFELICE.  513 

He  lighted  a  fresh  cigar,  and  drew  on  his  gloves. 

Cuthbert  hastily  snatched  a  glass  of  water  from  the  stand 
near  him,  and  laying  his  hand  on  the  bolt  of  the  door  lead 
ing  to  his  sleeping  room,  looked  over  his  shoulder  at  his 
father. 

The  face  of  the  son  was  whitened  and  sharpened  by  acute 
suffering,  and  his  blue  eyes  flashed  with  a  peculiarly  cold  sar 
castic  light  as  he  exclaimed  bitterly  : — 

"That  Gen.  Laurance  should  so  far  forget  the  aristocratic 
associations  and  memories  of  the  past,  as  to  wrap  his  ambitious 
name  around  the  person  and  character  of  a  pretty  coulisse  queen, 
— certainly  surprises  his  son,  in  whom  he  would  never  have  for 
given  such  a  mesalliance  ; — but  chacun  a  son  gout !  Permit  me 
Sir  to  hope,  that  my  father  may  display  the  same  infallible 
judgment  in  selecting  a  bride  for  himself,  that  he  so  successfully 
manifested  in  the  choice  of  one  for  his  son  ;  and  the  sincere 
wish  of  my  heart  is, — that  your  wedded  life  may  prove  quite  as 
rose-colored  and  blissful  as  mine." 

He  bowed  low,  and  disappeared ;  and  after  a  few  turns  up 
and  down  the  room,  during  which  he  smoothed  his  ruffled  brow, 
rejoicing  that  the  announcement  had  been  made, — Gen.  Laur 
ance  went  down  to  his  carriage,  and  was  driven  to  the  hotel, 
where  he  hoped  to  find  Mrs.  Orme. 

For  several  days  after  the  narration  of  her  history  to  Regina, 
the  mother  had  seen  comparatively  little  of  her  child,  her  time 
being  engrossed  by  numerous  rehearsals,  and  the  supervision  of 
some  scene  painting,  which  she  considered  essential  to  the  suc 
cess  of  the  play. 

Only  on  the  morning  of  the  day  appointed  for  its  presenta 
tion,  did  Regina  learn  that  in  "  Infelice"  her  mother  had  merely 
written  and  dramatically  arranged  an  accurate  history  of  her 
own  eventful  life.  By  this  startling  method  she  had  long  de 
signed  to  acquaint  Gen.  Laurance  and  his  son,  with  her  real 
name,  and  the  play  had  been  very  carefully  cast  and  prepared ; 
but  Regina  heard  with  deep  pain  and  humiliation  of  the  vin 
dictive  nature  of  the  surprise  arranged,  and  eloquently  plead 
22* 


514  INF  ELI  CE. 

that  the  sacred  past  should  not  be  profaned  by  casting  it  before 
the  public  for  criticism. 

Mr.  Chesley  earnestly  seconded  her  entreaties  that  even  now, 
a  change  of  programme  might  be  effected,  but  Mrs.  Orme 
sternly  adhered  to  her  purpose,  declared  it  was  too  late  for  altera 
tion,  and  that  she  would  not  consent  to  forfeit  the  delight  of  the 
vengeance,  which  alone  sweetened  the  future,  neither  would  she 
permit  her  daughter  to  absent  herself.  A  box  had  been  secured, 
where  screened  from  observation  Regina  and  Mr.  Chesley  could 
not  only  witness  the  play,  but  watch  the  two  men  whose  box 
was  opposite. 

When  Gen.  Laurance  called  and  sent  up  a  basket  of  choice 
and  costly  flowers, — begging  for  a  moment's  interview,  Mrs. 
Orme  sent  down  in  reply  a  tiny  perfumed  note,  stating  that  she 
was  then  hurrying  to  the  last  rehearsal,  which  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  she  should  attend  ;  and  requesting  that  after  the  close 
of  the  play,  Gen.  Laurance,  and  his  son,  would  do  her  the  honor 
to  take  supper  at  her  hotel, — where  she  would  give  him  a  final 
and  very  definite  answer,  with  regard  to  their  nuptials.  While 
he  read  the  billet  and  was  pencilling  a  second  appeal,  for  the 
privilege  of  escorting  her  to  the  rehearsal,  she  ran  lightly  down 
stairs,  sprang  into  a  carriage  and  eluded  him. 

Left  in  possession  of  all  the  records  relative  to  her  mother's 
history,  and  furnished  for  the  first  time  with  a  printed  copy 
of  "  Infelice,"  Regina  spent  a  melancholy  day  in  her  own 
room.  Among  the  papers  she  found  her  father's  letter,  prom 
ising  to  claim  his  wife  as  soon  as  he  attained  his  majority; 
and  as  she  noted  the  elegant  chirography  and  glanced  from 
the  letter  to  the  ambrotype  which  represented  Cuthbert  as 
he  looked  at  the  period  of  his  marriage,  a  strangely  tender  new 
feeling  welled  up  in  her  heart, — dimming  her  eyes  with  unshed 
tears. 

It  was  her  father's  face  upon  which  she  looked,  and  some 
thing  in  those  proud  high-bred  features, — plead  for  him  to  the 
soul  of  his  child.  True  he  had  disowned  them,  but  could  that 
face  deliberately  hide  premeditated  treachery?  Might  there 


INFELICE. 


5*5 


not  be  some  defence,  some  extenuating  circumstance,  that  would 
lessen  his  crime  ? 

Suddenly  she  sprang  up  and  began  to  array  herself  in  a  walk 
ing  suit.  She  would  go  and  see  her  father, — learn  what  had  in 
duced  his  cruel  course,  and  perhaps  some  mistake  might  be 
discovered  and  corrected.  She  knew  that  this  step  would  subject 
her  to  her  mother's  displeasure,  but  just  then  the  girl's  heart  was 
hardened  against  her,  in  consequence  of  her  persistency  in  dram 
atizing  a  record,  which  the  daughter  deemed  too  mournfully 
solemn  and  sacred,  for  the  desecration  of  the  boards  and  foot 
lights. 

Grieved  and  mortified  by  this  resolution,  over  which  her 
passionate  invective  and  persuasion  exerted  not  the  slightest  in 
fluence, — she  availed  herself  of  the  absence  of  her  mother  and 
Mrs.  Waul,  to  leave  the  hotel,  and  get  into  a  carriage. 

The  Directory  supplied  her  with  the  address  she  sought,  and 
ere  many  moments  she  found  herself  in  front  of  the  stately,  pala 
tial  pile,  in  which  Cuthbert  Laurance  had  long  dwelt.  Desiring 
to  see  Mr.  Laurance  on  business,  she  was  shown  into  the  ele 
gant  salon,  and  when  the  servant  returned  to  say  that  he  had 
left  the  house  but  a  few  minutes  before  she  entered,  she  still 
lingered. 

"  Can  I  see  Mrs.  Laurance  ?  " 

"  Madame  is  at  Nice.     Only  Mademoiselle  Maud  is  at  home." 

At  that  instant  a  side  door  opened,  and  a  stout  middle-aged 
woman,  pushed  before  her  into  the  room  a  low  chair  placed  on 
wheels,  in  which  sat  Maud.  At  sight  of  the  stranger,  Victorine 
turned  to  retreat  with  her  charge,  but  Regina  made  a  quick 
gesture  to  detain  her,  and  went  to  the  spot  where  tl*e  chair 
rested. 

Maude  sat  with  her  lap  full  of  violets  and  mignonette,  which 
she  was  trying  to  weave  into  a  bouquet,  but  arrested  in  her  oc 
cupation,  her  weird  black  eyes  looked  wonderingly  on  the  visi 
tor.  How  vividly  they  contrasted,  the  slender  symmetrical 
figure  of  Regina,  her  perfect  face  and  graceful  bearing, — with 
the  swarthy,  sallow  dwarfed  and  helpless  Maud  ?  As  the 


516  IN  FELICE. 

former  looked  at  the  melancholy  features,  prematurely  aged  by 
suffering,  a  well  of  pity  gushed  in  her  heart,  and  she  bent  down 
and  took  one  of  the  thin  hands  from  which  the  flowers  were 
slipping  unnoticed. 

"Is  this  little  Maud?" 

"  My  name  is  Maud  Ames  Laurance.  What  is  your  name  ? 
Why  you  are  just  like  papa  !  Do  you  know  my  papa  ?  " 

"  No  dear,  but  I  shall  some  day.  I  should  very  much  like 
to  know  you." 

"  You  look  so  much  like  papa.  You  may  kiss  me  if  you 
like." 

She  turned  her  sallow  cheek  for  the  salute,  and  Victorine 
said  : 

"  Is  Mademoiselle  a  relative  ?  You  are  quite  the  image  of 
Mr.  Laurance." 

"  Do  you  think  so  ?  Where  can  I  find  Gen.  Laurance  ? 
Does  he  reside  here  ?  " 

"  Oh  no  !  He  never  has  lived  with  us.  Grandpapa  was 
here  this  morning,  but  we  were  out  in  the  park.  Will  you  have 
some  flowers  ?  Your  eyes  just  match  my  violets  !  So  like 
papa's." 

Regina  gazed  sorrowfully  at  the  afflicted  figure,  and  holding 
those  thin  hot  fingers  in  hers,  she  silently  determined  that  if 
possible,  the  impending  blow  should  be  warded  off  from  this 
pitiable  little  sufferer. 

"  Did  you  come  to  see  me  ?  "  queried  Maud. 

"No  I  called  to  see  your  papa — on  some  business,  and  I  am 
sorry  he  is  absent.  Before  long  I  shall  come  and  see  you,  and 
we  will  make  bouquets  and  have  a  pleasant  time.  Good-by 
Maud." 

Remembering  that  she  was  her  half-sister,  Regina  *  lightly 
kissed  the  hollow  cheek  of  the  invalid. 

"  Good-by.  I  shall  ask  papa  where  you  got  his  eyes ;  for 
they  are  my  papa's  lovely  eyes." 

"  Has  mademoiselle  left  her  card  with  Jean  ?  "  asked  Vic 
torine,  whose  curiosity  was  thoroughly  aroused. 


INFELTCE  5I7 

'I  have  not  one  with  me." 

"  Then  be  pleased  to  give  me  your  name." 

"  No  matter  now.  I  will  come  again,  and  then  you  and 
Maud  shall  learn  my  name." 

She  hastened  out  of  the  room,  and  when  she  reached  her 
mother's  lodgings,  met  her  uncle  pacing  the  floor  of  the  re 
ception  room." 

"  Regina  where  have  you  been  ?  You  are  too  total  a  stran 
ger  here  to  venture  out  alone,  and  I  beg  that  you  will  not  re 
peat  the  imprudence.  I  have  been  really  uneasy  about  your 
mysterious  absence." 

"  Uncle  Orme  I  wanted  to  see  my  father,- — and  I  went  to  his 
home." 

She  threw  her  hat  upon  the  sofa,  and  sighed  heavily. 

"  My  dear  child,  Minnie  will  never  forgive  your  premature 
disclosure  !  " 

"  I  made  none,  because  he  was  not  at  home.  Oh  uncle — 
I  saw  something  that  made  my  heart  turn  sick- — with  pity.  I 
saw  that  poor  little  deformed  girl — Maud  Laurance,  and  it 
seems  to  me  her  haggard  face,  her  utter  wretchedness  and 
helplessness  would  melt  a  heart  of  steel  !  I  longed  to  take  the 
poor  forlorn  creature  in  my  arms,  and  cry  over  her  ;  and  I  tell 
you  Uncle  Orme  I  will  not  be  a  party  to  her  ruin  and  disgrace  ! 
I  will  not, — I  will  not !  I  am  strong  and  healthy,  and  God  has 
given  me  many  talents,  and  raised  up  dear  friends, — you  uncle, 
the  dearest  of  all, — after  mother ;  but  what  has  that  unfortu 
nate  cripple  ?  Nothing  but  her  father, — (for  she  has  been  de 
serted  by  her  mother) — and  only  her  father's  name.  Do  you 
think  I  could  see  her  beggared,  reduced  to  poverty  that  really 
pinched, — in  order  that  I  might  usurp  her  place  as  the  Laurance 
heiress  ?  Never." 

"My  dear  girl,  the  usurpation  is  on  their  part,  not  yours. 
The  name  and  inheritance  is  lawfully  yours,  and  the  attainment 
of  these  rights  for  you,  has  sustained  poor  Minnie  through  her 
sad,  arduous  career." 

"  Abstract  right,  is  not  the  only  thing  to  be  considered,  at 


5iS  INF E  LICE 

such  a  juncture  as  this.  Suppose  I  could  change  places  with 
that  poor  little  deformed  creature,  would  you  not  think  it  cruel, 
nay  wicked  to  turn  me  all  helpless  and  forlorn — out  of  a  com 
fortable  home,  into  the  cold  world  of  want, — a  nameless  waif? 
Uncle  I  know  what  it  is,  to  be  fatherless — and  nameless  !  All 
of  that  bitterness  and  humiliation  has  been  mine  for  years, — 
but  now  that  my  heart  is  at  rest  concerning  my  parentage,  now 
that  /  know  there  is  no  blemish  on  mother's  past  record, 
I  care  little  for  what  the  world  may  think, — and  much,  much 
more,  what  that  poor  girl  would  suffer.  To-day  when  I  looked 
at  her  useless  feet,  and  shrunken  hands,  and  deep  hollow  eyes, 
I  seemed  to  hear  a  voice  from  far  Judean  hills  : — '•bear  ye  one 
•mother's  burdens ;'  and  Uncle  Orme — I  am  willing  to  bear 
Maud's  burden — to  the  end  of  my  life.  My  shoulders  have 
become  accustomed  to  the  load  they  have  carried  for  over 
seventeen  years, — and  I  will  not  shift  it  to  poor  Maud's.  I  am 
strong,  she  is  pitiably  feeble.  I  have  never  known  the  blessing 
of  a  father's  love, — have  learned  to  do  without  it ; — she  has  no 
other  comfort, — no  other  balm,  and  I  will  not  rob  her  of  the 
little,  God  has  left  her.  I  understand  how  mother  feels, — I 
cannot  blame  her  ;  and  while  I  know  that  her  care  and  anxiety 
in  this  matter  are  chiefly  on  my  account, — I  could  never  respect, 
never  forgive  myself, — if  to  promote  my  own  importance  or  in 
terest  I  selfishly  consented  to  beggar  poor  Maud.  She  cannot 
live  long ; — death  has  set  a  shadowy  mark  already  upon  her 
weird  eyes, — and  until  they  close  in  the  peace  of  the  grave,  let 
us  leave  her  the  name — she  seems  so  proud  of.  She  pronounced 
it — Maud  Ames  Laurance, — as  though  it  were  a  royal  title. 
Let  her  bear  it.  I  can  wait." 

As  Mr.  Chesley  watched  the  pale  gem-like  face,  with  its  soft 
holy  eyes  full  of  a  resolution  which  he  knew  all  the  world  could 
not  shake,  a  sudden  mist  blurred  her  image,  and  taking  her 
hand,  he  kissed  her  forehead. 

"  My  noble  child,  if  the  golden  rule  you  seek  to  practise, 
were  in  universal  acceptation  and  actualization,  injustice,  fraud, 
and  crime  would  overturn  the  bulwarks  of  morality  and  de- 


INFELICE.  519 

cency.  When  men  violate  the  laws  of  God  and  man  as  Cuth- 
bert  Laurance  certainly  has  done,  even  religion  as  well  as 
justice  requires  that  his  crime  should  be  punished ;  although  in 
nearly  all  such  instances,  the  innocent  suffer  for  the  sins  of  the 
guilty.  Your  mother  owes  it  to  you,  to  me,  to  herself,  to  soci 
ety,  to  demand  recognition  of  her  legal  rights  ;  and  though  I  do 
not  approve  all  that  she  proposes — (at  least  the  manner  of  its 
accomplishment,)  I  cannot  censure  her; — and  you  dear  child, 
for  whose  sake  she  has  borne  so  much,  should  pause  before 
you  judge  her  harshly." 

"  God  forbid  !  that  I  should  !  But  oh  uncle  !  it  seems  to  me 
something  dreadful, — sacrilegious  to  act  over  before  a  multitude 
of  strangers  those  mournful  miserable  events — that  ought  to 
be  kept  sacred.  The  thought  of  being  present,  is  very  painful 
to  me." 

"  None  but  Gen.  Laurance  and  his  son,  will  dream  that  it  is 
more  than  a  mere  romance.  None  but  they,  can  possibly  rec 
ognize  the  scenes,  and  the  audience  cannot  suspect  that  Minnie 
is  acting  her  own  history.  When  a  suit  is  instituted,  it  will 
probably  result  in  a  recognition  of  the  marriage,  and  thereupon 
a  large  alimony  will  be  granted  to  your  mother,  who  will  at 
once  apply  for  a  divorce.  In  the  present  condition  of  their 
financial  affairs  this  cannot  fail  to  beggar  the  Laurances,  for  I 
had  a  cable  dispatch  this  morning  from  Mr.  Palma,  intimating 
that  the  stock  panic  had  grievously  crippled  several  of  Gen. 
Laurance's  best  investments.  This  news  will  be  delightful  to 
Minnie,  but  I  see  it  distresses  you.  Now  Regina — regnant, 
listen  to  me.  Have  no  controversy  with  your  mother ;  she  is 
just  now  in  no  mood  to  bear  it,  and  I  want  no  distrust  to  grow 
up  between  you.  Whether  you  wish  it  or  not,  she  will  establish 
her  claim,  and  she  is  right  in  doing  so.  Now  I  wish  t3  make 
a  contract  with  you.  Keep  quiet,  and  if  we  find  that  the 
Laurances  will  really  be  reduced  to  want,  I  will  supply  you 
with  the  funds  necessary  to  provide  a  comfortable  home  for 
them,  and  you  shall  give  it  to  your  father  and  little  Maud. 
Minnie  must  not  know  of  the  matter,  she  would  never  forgive 


520  INF  E  LICE. 

us,  and  neither  can  I  consent  that  your  father  should  consider 
me  as  his  friend.  But  all  that  I  have,  my  sweet  girl,  is  yours, 
and  Laurance  may  feel  indebted  to  his  own  repudiated  child  for 
the  gift.  Is  it  a  bargain  ?  " 

"  Oh  Uncle  Orme  !  how  good  and  generous  you  are  !  No 
wonder  my  heart  warmed  to  you  the  first  time  I  ever  saw  you  ! 
How  I  love  and  thank  you  !  my  own  noble  uncle  !  You  have 
no  idea  how  earnestly  I  long  for  the  time,  when  you  and  mother 
and  I  can  settle  down  together  in  a  quiet  home  somewhere ; 
shut  out  from  the  world  that  has  used  us  all  so  hardly, — and 
safe  in  our  love,  and  confidence  for,  and  -in  each  other." 

She  had  thrown  her  arms  around  his  neck,  and  pressing  her 
head  against  his  shoulder,  looked  at  him  with  eyes  full  of  hope 
and  happiness. 

"  I  am  afraid  my  dear  girl,  that  as  soon  as  our  imaginary 
Eden  is  arranged  satisfactorily,  the  dove  that  gives  it  peace  and 
purity  will  be  enticed  away, — caged  in  a  more  brilliant  mansion. 
You  will  love  Minnie  and  me  very  much  I  daresay,  until  some 
lover  steals  between  us,  and  lures  you  away." 

She  hid  her  countenance  against  his  shoulder,  and  her  words 
impressed  him  as  singularly  solemn  and  mournful. 

"  I  shall  have  no  lover.  I  shall  make  it  the  aim  and  study 
of  all  my  future  life,  to  love  only  God, — mother  and  you.  My 
hope  of  happiness  centres  in  the  one  word  Home  !  We  all 
three  have  felt  the  bitter  want  of  one,  and  I  desire  to  make 
ours  that  serene,  holy  ideal  Home,  of  which  I  have  so  long 
dreamed  : — '  We  will  bear  our  Penates  with  us  ;  their  atrium — 
the  heart.  Our  household  gods  are  the  memories  of  our  child 
hood,  the  recollections  of  the  hearth  round  which  we  gathered  ; 
of  the  fostering  hands  which  caressed  us,  of  the  scene  of  all  the 
joys,  anxieties,  and  hopes, — the  ineffable  yearnings  of  love, 
which  made  us  first  acquainted  with  the  mystery  and  the  sanc 
tity  of  Home.'  Such  a  home  dear  uncle  let  us  fashion,  some 
where  in  sight  of  the  blue  Pacific  ;  and  into  its  sacred  rest  no 
lover  shall  come." 


INFELICE  521 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

|RS.  ORME  had  carefully  instructed  Mrs.  Waul  con 
cerning  the  details  of  her  daughter's  toilette,  and  se 
lected  certain  articles — which  she  desired  her  to  wear ; 
but  Regina  saw  her  mother  no  more  that  day,  and  late  in  the 
afternoon,  when  she  knocked  at  the  door,  soliciting  admission, 
for  a  moment  only,  the  mother  answered  from  within  : 

"  No,  my  child  would  only  unnerve  me  now,  and  there  is  too 
much  at  stake.  Uncle  Orme  understands  all  that  I  wish  done 
to-night." 

Regina  heard  the  quick  restless  tread  across  the  floor,  be 
traying  the  extreme  agitation  that  prevailed  in  her  mind  and 
heart; — and  sorrowfully  the  girl  went  back  to  her  uncle,  in 
whose  society  she  daily  found  increasing  balm,  and  comfort. 

The  theatre  was  crowded  when  Mr.  Chesley  and  Regina  en 
tered  their  box ; — and  though  the  latter  had  several  times  at 
tended  the  opera  in  New  York,  the  elegance  and  brilliance  of 
the  surrounding  scene,  surpassed  all  that  she  had  hitherto  wit 
nessed.  Mrs.  Orme  had  created  a  profound  impression  by  her 
earlier  roles  at  this  theatre,  and  the  sudden  termination  of  her 
engagement  by  the  illness  that  succeeded  her  extraordinarily 
pathetic  and  touching  "  Katharine,"  had  aroused  much  sympa 
thy, — stimulated  curiosity  and  interest ; — consequently  her  re 
appearance  in  a  new  play,  of  whose  plot,  no  hint  had  yet  been 
made  public, — sufficed  to  fill  the  house  at  an  early  hour. 

Soon  after  their  entrance,  Mr.  Chesley  laid  his  hand  on  his 
companion's  and  whispered : 

"  Will  you  promise  to  be  very  calm,  and  self-controlled,  if  I 
show  you  your  father  ?  " 

He  felt  her  hand  grow  cold,  and  in  reply,  she  merely  pressed 
his  fingers. 

"When  I  hold  the  curtain  slightly  aside,  look  into  the  sec- 


522  INF E  LICE. 

ond  box  immediately  opposite,  where  two  gentlemen  are  sit 
ting.     They  are  your  father  and  grandfather." 

She  leaned  and  looked,  and  how  eagerly,  how  yearningly  her 
eyes  dwelt  upon  the  handsome  face,  which  still  closely  resem 
bled  the  Cuthbert  of  college  days,  and  the  ambrotype  she  had 
studied  so  carefully  since  her  arrival  in  Paris. 

As  she  watched,  her  breathing  became  rapid,  labored, — her 
eyes  rilled, — her  face  quivered  uncontrollably,  and  she  half  rose 
from  her  seat,  but  Mr.  Chesley  held  her  back,  and  dropped  the 
curtain. 

"  Oh  uncle  !  How  handsome, — how  refined,  how  noble- 
looking  !  Poor  darling  mother  !  how  could  she  help  giving  him 
her  heart?  In  all  my  dreams  and  fancies,  I  never  even  hoped 
<o  find  him  such  a  man  !  My  father,  my  father  !  " 

She  trembled  so  violently,  that  Mr.  Chesley  said  hastily  : 

"  Compose  yourself,  or  I  shall  be  forced  to  take  you  home, 
and  your  mother  will  be  displeased ;  for  she  particularly  desired 
that  I  would  watch  the  effect  of  the  play  on  those  two  men  op 
posite." 

She  leaned  back,  shut  her  eyes,  and  bravely  endeavored  to 
conquer  her  agitation,  and  luckily  at  this  moment,  the  stage-cur 
tain  rose. 

By  the  aid  of  photographs  procured  in  America,  and  by  dint 
of  personal  supervision  and  suggestions,  Mrs.  Orme  had 
successfully  arranged  the  exact  reproduction  of  certain  lo 
calities  ; — the  college,  the  campus,  the  humble  cottage  of  old 
Mrs.  Chesley  with  its  peculiar  porch,  whose  column  caps  were 
carved  to  represent  dogs'  heads  on  their  caps, — the  interior 
of  a  hospital, — of  an  orphan  asylum, — and  of  the  library  at  the 
Parsonage. 

Leaning  far  back,  in  his  chair, — a  prey  to  gloomy  and  inde 
scribably  bitter  reflections,  as  he  accustomed  himself  to  the  con 
templation  of  the  fact  that  the  beautiful  woman  in  whom  his 
own  fickle  wayward  heart  had  become  earnestly  interested, — 
would  sell  herself  to  the  gray-bearded  man  beside  him,  Cuthbert 
gnawed  his  silky  moustache  ;  while  his  father  watched  with  fe- 


INFELIOE. 


523 


verish  impatience  for  the  opening  of  the  play,  and  the  sight  of 
his  enchantress. 

The  curtain  rose  upon  a  group  sitting  on  the  sward,  before 
the  cottage  door.  Minnie  Merle  in  the  costume  of  a  very  young 
girl,  with  her  golden  hair  all  hidden  under  a  thick  wig  of  dark 
curling  locks,  that  straggled  in  childish  disorder  around  her  neck 
and  shoulders,  while  her  sun-bonnet,  the  veritable  green  and 
white  gingham  of  other  days,  lay  at  her  feet.  Beside  her  a  tall 
youth — who  represented  Peleg  Peterson,  in  the  garb  of  a  car 
penter,  with  a  tool-box  on  the  ground,  and  in  his  hands  a 
wooden  doll,  which  he  was  carving  for  the  child. 

In  the  door  of  the  cottage  sat  the  grandmother  knitting  and 
nodding,  with  white  hair  shining  under  her  snowy  cap-border  ; 
and  while  the  carpenter  carved,  and  whistled  an  old-fashioned 
ditty,  "Meet  me  by  moonlight  alone,"  the  girl  in  a  quavering 
voice  attempted  to  accompany  him. 

Minnie  sat  with  her  countenance  turned  fully  to  the  audience, 
and  when  Cuthbert  Laurance' s  eyes  fell  on  the  cottage  front, — 
and  upon  the  face  under  that  cloud  of  dark  elfish  locks, — he 
caught  his  breath,  and  his  eyes  seemed  almost  starting  from 
their  sockets.  His  hand  fell  heavily  on  his  father's  knee,  and 
he  groaned  audibly. 

Gen.  Laurance  turned  and  whispered  : 

"  For  God's  sake — what  is  the  matter  ?     Are  you  ill  ?  " 

There  was  no  answer  from  the  son,  who  tightened  his  clutch 
upon  the  old  man's  knee,  and  watched  breathlessly  what  was 
passing  on  the  stage. 

The  scene  was  shifted,  and  now  the  whole  facade  of  the 
college  rose  before  him,  with  a  pretty  picture  in  the  foreground ; 
a  tall  handsome  student,  leaning  against  the  trunk  of  an  ancient 
elm,  and  talking  to  the  girl  who  sat  on  the  turf,  with  a  basket 
of  freshly-ironed  shirts  resting  on  the  grass  beside  her.  The 
identical  straw  hat,  which  Cuthbert  had  left  behind  him  when 
summoned  home,  was  upon  the  student's  head,  and  as  the  timid 
shrinking  girl  glanced  up  shyly  at  her  companion,  Cuthbert 
Laurance  almos'  hissed  in  his  father's  ear  • 


524  INFELICE. 

"  Great  God  !     It  is  Minnie  herself!  " 

General  Laurance  loosened  the  curtain  next  the  audience, 
and  as  the  folds  swept  down,  concealing  somewhat  the  figure 
of  his  son,  he  whispered  : 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?     Are  you  drunk  or  mad  ?  " 

Cuthbert  grasped  his  father's  hand,  and  murmured  : 

"  Don't  you  know  the  college  ?     That  is  Minnie  yonder  !" 

"  Minnie  ?  My  son  what  ails  you  ?  Go  home,  you  are 
ill." 

"  I  tell  you  that  is  Minnie  Merle,  so  surely  as  there  is  a  God 
above  us.  Mrs.  Orme — is  Minnie — my  Minnie  !  My  wife  ! 
She  has  dramatized  her  own  life  !  " 

"  Impossible,  Cuthbert !  You  are  delirious, — insane.  You 
are  " 

"  That  woman  yonder  is  my  wife  !  Now  I  understand  why 
such  strange  sweet  memories  thrilled  me  when  I  saw  her  first 
in  '  Amy  Robsart.'  The  golden  hair  disguised  her.  Oh 
father  ! " 

The  blank  dismay  in  General  Laurance' s  countenance,  was 
succeeded  by  an  expression  of  dread,  and  as  he  looked  from 
his  son's  blanched  convulsed  face,  to  that  of  the  actress  under 
the  arching  elms  of  the  campus,  the  horrible  truth  flashed  upon 
him,  like  a  lurid  glimpse  of  Hades.  He  struck  his  hand  against 
his  forehead,  and  his  grizzled  head  sank  on  his  bosom.  All 
that  had  formerly  perplexed  him  was  hideously  apparent,  start- 
lingly  clear  ;  and  he  saw  the  abyss  to  which  she  had  lured  him, 
— and  understood  the  motives  that  had  prompted  her. 

After  some  moments,  he  pushed  his  seat  back  beyond  the 
range  of  observation  from  the  audience,  and  beckoned  his  son 
to  follow  his  example,  but  Cuthbert  stood,  leaning  upon  the  back 
of  his  chair,  with  eyes  riveted  on  the  play. 

The  courtship,  the  clandestine  meetings,  the  interview  in 
which  Peleg  intruded  upon  the  lovers, — the  revelation  to  the 
grandmother,  were  accurately  delineated,  and  in  each  scene  the 
girl  grew  taller,  by  some  arrangement  of  the  skirts,  which  were 
at  first  very  short,  while  she  appeared  in  a  sitting  posture. 


INFEL1CE.  525 

When  the  secret  marriage  was  decided  upon,  and  the  party 
left  the  cottage  by  night,  Cuthbert  turned,  rested  one  hand  on 
his  father's  shoulder,  and  as  the  scene  changed  to  the  quiet 
Parsonage,  he  pressed  heavily, — and  muttered  : 

"  Even  the  very  dress  that  she  wore  that  day  !  And — there 
is  the  black  agate!  On  her  hand — where  I  put  it!  Don't 
you  know  it  ?  How  she  turns  it —  ! " 

In  the  tableau  of  the  marriage  ceremony,  she  had  taken  her 
position  with  reference  to  the  locality  of  the  box,  and  as  near 
it  as  possible,  and  in  the  glare  of  the  footlights,  the  ring  was 
clearly  revealed. 

Lifting  his  lorgnette  Gen.  Laurance  inspected  the  white 
hand  he  had  once  kissed  so  rapturously,  and  by  the  aid  of  the 
lenses,  he  recognized  the  costly  ring,  the  valued  heirloom  for  the 
recovery  of  which  he  had  offered  five  hundred  dollars.  Had  he 
still  cherished  a  shadowy  hope  that  Cuthbert  was  suffering  from 
some  fearful  delusion,  the  sight  of  that  singular  and  fatal  ring, 
utterly  overthrew  the  last  lingering  vestige  of  doubt.  Stunned, 
miserable,  dimly  foreboding  some  overwhelming  denouement,  he 
sat  in  stony  stillness,  knowing  that  this  was  but  the  prelude  to 
some  dire  catastrophe. 

When  the  telegram  arrived  and  the  young  husband  took  his 
bride  in  his  arms,  the  girlish  face  was  lifted,  and  the  passionate 
gleam  of  the  dilating  brown  eyes  sent  a  strange  thrill  to  the 
hearts  of  both  father  and  son.  Vowing  to  return  very  soon  and 
claim  her,  the  husband  tore  himself  away,  and  as  he  vanished 
through  a  side  door  near  the  box,  Minnie  followed,  stretched 
out  her  arms, — and  looking  up  full  at  its  two  tenants, — she 
breathed  her  wild  passionate  prayer  which  rang  with  indescrib 
able  pathos  through  that  vast  building  : 

"  My  husband  !     My  husband — do  not  forsake  me  !  " 

Cuthbert  put  his  hand  over  his  eyes,  and  but  for  the  voices 
on  the  stage,  his  shuddering  groan  would  have  been  heard  out 
side  the  box.  In  the  scene  where  Peleg's  advances  were  indig 
nantly  repulsed, — and  his  threats  to  unleash  the  bloodhounds 
of  slander,  hunting  her  to  infamy,  were  fully  developed,  Cuth- 


526  INFELICE. 

bert  seemed  to  rouse  himself  from  his  stupcr,  and  a  different 
expression  crossed  his  features. 

Skilfully  the  part  played  by  Gen.  Laurance  in  bribing  Peleg, 
and  returning  the  letters  of  the  wretched  wife, — the  disgraceful 
threats,  the  offers  to  buy  up  and  cancel  her  conjugal  claims 
were  all  presented. 

When  the  grandmother  departed,  and  the  child-wife  secretly 
made  her  way  to  New  York,  seeking  service  that  would  secure 
her  bread,  and  still  hopeful  of  her  husband's  return,  Cuthbert 
grasped  his  father's  arm  and  hissed  in  his  ear  : 

"  You  deceived  me  !  You  told  me  she  went  with  that  villain 
to  California,  to  hide  her  disgrace  !  " 

Cowed  and  powerless,  the  old  man  sat,  recognizing  the  faith 
ful  portraiture  of  his  own  dark  schemes  in  those  early  days  of 
the  trouble,  and  growing  numb  with  a  vague  prophetic  dread 
that  the  foundations  of  the  world  were  crumbling  away. 

His  son  suddenly  drew  his  chair  •  a  little  forward  and  sat 
down,  his  elbow  on  his  knee,  his  head  on  his  hand  ;  his  gaze 
fixed  on  the  woman,  who  had  contrived  to  reproduce  even  the 
fall,  that  caused  her  removal  to  the  hospital. 

The  ensuing  scene  represented  the  young  mother,  sitting  on 
a  cot  in  the  hospital,  with  a  babe  lying  across  her  knees, — and 
the  storm  of  horror,  hate,  and  defiance  with  which  she  spurned 
Peleg  from  her, — calling  on  heaven  to  defend  her  and  her  baby, 
— and  denouncing  the  treachery  of  Gen.  Laurance  who  had 
bribed  Peterson  to  insult  and  defame  her. 

As  he  was  dragged  from  the  apartment,  vowing  that  neither 
she  nor  her  child  should  be  permitted  to  enjoy  the  name  to 
which  they  were  entitled, — the  feeble  woman,  shorn  of  her  brown 
locks,  and  wearing  a  close  cap,  lifted  her  infant  and  with  stream 
ing  eyes  implored  heaven  to  defend  it  and  its  hapless  mother 
from  cruel  persecution. 

In  the  wonderful  power  with  which  she  proclaimed  her  death 
less  loyalty  to  the  husband  of  her  love,  and  her  conviction  that 
God  would  interpose  to  shield  his  helpless  child, — the  audience 
recognized  the  fervor  and  pathos  of  the  rendition,  and  the  ap- 


IN  FELICE.  527 

plause  that  greeted  her,  as  she  bowed  sobbing  over  her  baby,— 
told  how  the  hearts  of  her  hearers  thrilled. 

The  curtain  fell,  and  Cuthbert's  eyes  gleaming  like  steel, 
turned  to  his  father's  countenance. 

"  Is  that  true  ?     Dare  you  deny  it  ?" 

The  old  man  only  stared  blankly  at  the  carpet  on  the  floor, 
and  his  son's  fingers  closed  like  a  vice  around  his  arm. 

"  You  have  practised  an  infernal  imposture  upon  me  !  You 
told  me  she  followed  him,  and  that  the  child  was  his." 

"  He  said  so." 

Gen.  Laurance's  voice  was  husky, — and  a  gray  hue  had 
settled  upon  his  features. 

"You  paid  him  to  proclaim  that  base — falsehood!  You 
whom  I  trusted, — so  fully.  Father — where  is  my  child?" 

No  answer  ;  and  the  curtain  rose  on  the  fair  young  mother, 
who  came  forward  with  her  own  golden  hair  in  full  splendor. 

Involuntarily  the  audience  testified  their  recognition  of  the 
beautiful  actress  who  now  appeared  for  the  first  time,  looking 
as  when  she  made  her  debut,  long  ago  in  Paris.  She  was  at  the 
asylum,  with  a  young  child  clinging  to  her  finger,  tottering  at  her 
side,  and  as  she  guided  its  steps,  and  hushed  it  in  her  arms,  many 
mothers  among  the  spectators  felt  the  tears  rush  to  their  eyes. 

Walking  with  the  infant  cradled  on  her  bosom,  she  passed 
twice  across  the  stage,  then  paused  beneath  the  box,  and  mur 
mured  : 

"Papa's  baby — Papa's  own  precious  baby  !"  and  her  splen 
did  eyes  humid  with  tears  looked — full,  straight — into  those  of 
her  husband. 

It  was  the  first  time  they  had  met  during  the  evening,  and 
something  she  saw  in  that  quivering  face — made  her  heart  ache 
with  the  old  numbing  agony.  Cuthbert  could  scarcely  restrain 
himself  from  leaping  down  upon  the  stage,  and  clasping  her  in 
his  arms  ; — but  she  moved  away,  and  the  sorely  smitten  hus 
band  bowed  his  face  in  his  hand,  luckily  shielded  from  public 
view  by  the  position  in  which  he  sat. 

The  dinner  scene  ensued,  and  the  abrupt  announcement  of 


52&  INFELICE. 

the  second  marriage.  The  anguish  and  despair  of  the  repudi 
ated  wife  were  portrayed  with  a  vividness,  a  marvellous  eloquence 
and  passionate  fervor  that  surpassed  all  former  exhibitions  of 
her  genius,  and  the  people  rose,  and  applauded,  as  audiences 
sometimes  do,  when  a  magnetic  wave  rolls  from  the  heart  and 
brain  on  the  stage  to  those  of  the  men  and  women  who  watch 
and  listen, — completely  en  rapport. 

The  life  of  the  actress  began,  the  struggle  to  provide  for  her 
child, — the  constant  care  to  elude  discovery,  the  application 
for  legal  advice,  the  statement  of  her  helplessness,  the  attempt 
to  secure  the  license  ;  all  were  represented,  and  at  last  the 
meeting  with  her  husband  in  a  theatre. 

Gradually  the  pathos  melted  away,  she  was  the  stern  relent 
less  outraged  wife,  intent  only  upon  revenge.  She  spared  not 
even  the  interview  in  which  the  faithless  husband  sought  her 
presence  ;  and  as  Cuthbert  watched  her,  repeating  the  sen 
tences  that  had  so  galled  his  pride,  he  asked  himself  how  he 
had  failed  to  recognize  his  own  wife  ? 

In  the  meeting  with  the  child  of  the  second  marriage,  her 
wild  exultation,  her  impassioned  invocation  of  Nemesis,  was 
one  of  the  most  effective  passages  in  the  drama ;  and  it  caused 
a  shiver  to  creep  like  a  serpent  over  the  body  of  the  father, 
who  pitied  so  tenderly  his  afflicted  Maud. 

As  the  scheme  of  saving  her  own  daughter,  by  sacrificing 
herself  in  a  nominal  marriage  with  the  man  whom  she  hated  and 
loathed  so  intensely,  developed  itself,  a  perceptible  chill  fell 
upon  the  audience  ;  the  unnaturalness  of  the  crime  asserted  itself. 

While  she  rendered  almost  literally,  the  interviews  at  Poz- 
zuoli,  and  at  Naples,  Cuthbert  glanced  at  his  father,  and  saw  a 
purplish  flush  steal  from  neck  to  forehead,  but  the  old  man's 
eyes  never  quitted  the  floor.  He  seemed  incapable  of  moving, 
Gorgonized  by  the  beautiful  Medusa  whose  invectives  against 
him  were  scathing,  terrible. 

As  the  play  approached  its  close  and  the  preparation  for  the 
marriage,  even  the  details  of  the  settlement  were  narrated, 
suspense  reached  its  acme.  Then  came  the  letters  of  reprieve, 


INFELICE. 


529 


the  deliverance  from  the  bondage  of  Peterson's  vindictive 
malice,  the  power  of  establishing  her  claim  ;  and  when  she 
wept  her  thanksgiving  for  salvation,  many  wept  in  sympathy; 
while  Regina,  borne  away  in  breathless  admiration  of  her 
mother's  wonderful  genius,  sobbed  unrestrainedly. 

When  the  letters  of  Peterson,  and  of  the  lawyer  were  read, 
mapping  the  line  of  prosecution  for  the  recovery  of  the  wife's 
rights,  the  father  slowly  raised  his  eyes,  and  looking  drearily 
at  his  son,  muttered  : 

"It  is  all  over  with  us  Cuthbert.  She  has  won, — we  are 
ruined.  Let  us  go  home." 

He  attempted  to  rise,  but  with  a  glare  of  mingled  wrath  and 
scorn,  his  son  held  him  back. 

The  last  scene  was  reached  ;  the  triumphant  vindication  of 
wife  and  child,  the  condemnation  of  the  two  who  had  conspired 
to  defraud  them,  the  foreclosure  of  the  mortgages,  the  penury  of 
the  proud  aristocrats,  and  the  disgrace  that  overwhelmed  them. 

Finally  the  second  wife  and  afflicted  child  came  to  crave 
leniency,  and  the  husband  and  the  father  pleaded  for  pardon ; 
but  with  a  malediction  upon  the  house  that  caused  her  wretched 
ness,  the  broken-hearted  woman  retreated  to  the  palatial  home 
she  had  at  last  secured,  and  under  its  upas  shadow  died  in  the 
arms  of  her  daughter. 

Her  play  contained  many  passages  which  afforded  her  scope 
for  the  manifestation  of  her  extraordinary  power,  and  at  its  close 
the  people  would  not  depart  until  she  had  appeared  in  acknowl 
edgment  of  their  plaudits. 

Brilliantly  beautiful  she  looked,  with  the  glittering  light  of 
tiiumph  in  her  large  mesmeric  eyes,  a  rich  glow  mantling  her 
cheeks,  and  rouging  her  lips  ;  while  in  heavy  folds  the  black 
velvet  robe  swept  around  her  queenly  figure.  How  stately, 
elegant,  unapproachable  she  seemed,  to  the  man  who  leaned 
forward,  gazing  with  all  his  heart  in  his  eyes,  upon  the  wife  of 
his  youth,  the  only  woman  he  had  ever  really  loved  ;  now  his 
most  implacable  foe. 

The  audience  dispersed,  and  Cuthbert  and  his  father  sat  like 
23 


530  INF  ELI  CE. 

those  old  Roman  Senators,  awaiting  the  breaking  of  the  wave  of 
savage  vengeance  that  was  rolling  in  upon  them. 

At  length  Gen.  Laurance  struggled  to  his  feet,  and  mechani 
cally  quitted  the  theatre,  followed  by  his  son.  Reaching  the 
carriage,  they  entered,  and  Cuthbert  ordered  the  coachman  to 
drive  to  Mrs.  Orme's  hotel. 

"  Not  now  !  For  God's  sake — not  to-night,"  groaned  the  old 
man. 

"  To-night, — before  another  hour, — this  awful  imposture  must 
be  confessed,  —  and  reparation  offered.  I  sinned  against 
Minnie,— -but  not  premeditatedly.  You  deceived  me.  You 
made  me  believe  her,  the  foul  guilty  thing  you  wished  her. 
You  intercepted  her  letters, — you  never  let  me  know  that  I  had 
a  child  neglected  and  forsaken — and  father,  God  may  forgive 
you,  but  I  never  can.  My  proud,  lovely  Minnie  !  My  own 
wife  !  " 

Cuthbert  buried  his  face  in  his  hands,  and  his  strong  frame 
shook  as  he  pictured  what  might  have  been,  contrasting  it  with 
the  hideous  reality  of  his  loveless  and  miserable  marriage,  with 
the  banker's  daughter,  who  threatened  him  with  social  disgrace. 

During  that  drive  Gen.  Laurance  felt  that  he  was  approach 
ing  some  offended  and  avenging  Fury, — that  he  was  drifting 
down  to  ruin,  powerless  to  lift  his  hand  and  stay  even  for  an 
instant  the  fatal  descent ; — that  he  was  gradually  petrifying, — 
and  things  seemed  vague  and  intangible. 

When  they  reached  the  hotel,  they  were  ushered  into  the 
salon  already  brilliantly  lighted  as  if  in  expectation  of  their 
arrival.  Cuthbert  paced  the  floor  ;  his  father  sank  into  a  chair, 
resting  his  hands  on  the  top  of  his  cane. 

After  a  little  while,  a  silk  curtain  at  the  lower  end  of  the  room 
was  lifted,  and  Mrs.  Orme  came  slowly  forward.  How  her  lus 
trous  eyes  gleamed  as  she  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  apartment, 
scorn,  triumph,  hate,  all  struggling  for  mastery  in  her  lovely  face. 

"  Gentlemen  you  have  read  the  handwriting  on  the  wall.  Do 
you  come  for  defiance,  or  capitulation  ?  " 

Gen.  Laurance  lifted  his  head,  but  instantly  dropped  it  on  his 


INF  ELI  CE.  531 

bosom  ;  he  seemed  to  have  aged  suddenly,  prematurely.  Cuth- 
bert  advanced,  stood  close  beside  the  woman  whose  gaze  in 
tensified  as  he  drew  near  her,  and  said  brokenly  : 

"Minnie  I  come,  merely  to  exonerate  myself  before  God  and 
man.  Heaven  is  my  witness,  that  I  never  knew  I  had  a  child 
in  America,  until  to-night, — that  until  to-night  I  believed  you 
were  in  California  living  as  the  wife  of  that  base  villain  Peter 
son,  who  wrote,  announcing  himself  your  accepted  lover. 
From  the  day  I  kissed  you  good-by — at  the  cottage,  I  never 
received  a  line,  a  word,  a  message  from  you.  When  I  doubted 
my  father's  and  Peterson's  statements  concerning  you,  and 
wrote  two  letters,  one  to  the  President  of  the  college,  one  to  a 
resident  professor,  seeking  some  information  of  your  where 
abouts,  in  order  at  least  to  visit  you  once  more,  when  I  became 
twenty-one, — both  answered  me  that  you  had  forfeited  your  fair 
name,  had  been  forsaken  by  your  grandmother,  and  had  gone 
away  from  the  village  accompanied  by  Peterson,  who  was  re 
garded  as  your  favored  lover.  I  ceased  to  doubt,  I  believed 
you  false.  I  knew  no  better  until  to-night.  Father  my  honor 
demands  that  the  truth  be  spoken  at  last.  Will  you  corroborate 
my  statement  ?  " 

Pale  and  proud,  he  stood  erect,  and  she  saw  that  a  conscious 
ness  of  rectitude  at  least  in  purpose,  sustained  him. 

"Mrs.  Orme" began  Gen.  Laurance. 

"  Away  with  such  shams  and  masks  !  Mrs.  Orme  died  on 
the  theatrica^  boards  to-night,  and  henceforth  the  world  knows 
.me  as  Minnie  Laurance  !  Ah  !  by  the  grace  of  God  !  Minnie 
Laurance  ! " 

She  laughed  derisively,  and  held  up  her  fair  slender  hand, 
exhibiting  the  black  agate  with  its  grinning  skull  lighted  by  the 
glow  of  the  large  radiant  diamonds. 

"  Minnie  I  never  dreamed  you  were  his  wife, — oh  my  God  ! 
How  horrible  it  all  is  !  " 

He  seemed  bewildered,  and  his  son  exclaimed  : 

"  Who  is  responsible  for  the  separation  from  my  wife  ?  You 
father,  or  1  ?  " 


532  IN  FELICE. 

11 1  did  it,  my  son.  I  meant  it  for  the  best.  I  naturally  be 
lieved  you  had  been  entrapped  into  a  shameful  alliance, — and 
as  any  other  father  would  have  done,  I  was  ready  to  credit  the 
unfavorable  estimate  derived  from  the  man  Peterson.  He  told 
me  that  Minnie  had  belonged  to  him  until  she  and  her  grand 
mother  conceived  the  scheme  of  inveigling  you  into  a  secret 
marriage ;  and  afterward  he  informed  me  of  the  birth  of  his 
child.  I  did  not  pay  him  to  claim  it,  but  when  he  pronounced 
it  his,  I  gave  him  money  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  two 
whom  he  claimed,  to  California ;  and  I  supposed  until  to-night, 
that  both  had  accompanied  him.  I  did  not  manufacture  state 
ments,  I  only  gladly  credited  them  ;  and  believing  all  that  man 
told  me,  I  felt  justified  in  intercepting  letters  addressed  to  you, 
by  the  woman  whom  he  claimed  as  mother  of  his  child.  Ma 
dam  do  not  blame  Cuthbert.  I  did  it  all." 

The  abject  wretchedness  of  his  mien  disconcerted  her ; 
robbed  her  of  half  her  anticipated  triumph.  How  could  she 
exult  in  trampling  upon  a  bruised  worm  which  made  no  attempt 
to  crawl  from  beneath  her  heel  ?  He  sat,  the  image  of  hopeless 
dejection,  his  hands  crossed  on  the  gold  head  of  his  cane. 

Mrs.  Orme  walked  to  the  end  of  the  room,  lifted  the  curtain, 
and  at  a  signal  Regina  joined  her.  Clasping  the  girl's  fingers 
firmly  she  led  her  forward,  and  when  in  front  of  the  old  man, 
she  exclaimed  : 

"Rene  Laurance — blood  triumphs  over  malice,  perjury  and 
bribery;  whose  is  this  child?  Is  she  Merle,  Peterson,  or 
Laurance  ?  " 

Standing  before  them,  in  a  dress  of  some  soft  snowy  shining 
fabric,  neither  silk  nor  crape,  with  white  starry  jasmines  in  her 
raven  hair,  and  upon  her  bosom,  Regina  seemed  some  angelic 
visitant — sent  to  still  the  strife  of  human  passions,  so  lovely  and 
pure  was  her  colorless  face  ;  and  as  Gen.  Laurance  looked  up 
at  her,  he  rose  suddenly. 

"  Pauline  Laurance,  my  sister ;  the  exact,  the  wonderful 
image  !  Laurance,  all  Laurance  :  from  head  to  foot." 

He  dropped  back  into  the  chair,  and  smiled  vacantly. 


INFELICE.  533 

Cuthbert  sprang  forward,  his  face  all  aglow,  his  eyes  radiant, 
and  eloquent. 

"Minnie  is  this  indeed  our  child?  Your  daughter — and 
mine  ?  "  f 

He  extended  his  arms,  but  she  waved  him  back. 

"  Do  not  touch  her  !  How  dare  you  ?  This  is  my  baby,  my 
darling,  my  treasure.  This  is  the  helpless  little  one,  whose 
wails  echoed  in  a  hospital  Avard  ; — who  came  into  the  world 
cursed  with  the  likeness  of  her  father.  This  is  the  child  you 
disowned,  persecuted,  this  is  the  baby  God  gave  to  you  and  to 
me  ; — but  you  forfeited  your  claim  long  years  ago,  and  she  has 
no  father,  only  his  name  henceforth.  She  is  wholly,  entirely 
her  mother's  blue-eyed  baby.  You  have  your  Maud." 

As  she  spoke,  a  wealth  of  proud  tenderness  shone  in  her 
eyes,  which  rested  on  the  lily  face  of  her  child,  and  at  that  mo 
ment  how  she  gloried  in  her  perfect  loveliness. 

Her  husband  groaned,  and  clasped  his  hand  over  his  face  to 
conceal  the  agony  that  was  intolerable,  and  in  an  instant,  ere 
the  mother  could  suspect  or  frustrate  her  design,  the  girl  broke 
from  her  hand,  sprang  forward  and  threw  herself  on  Cuthbert's 
bosom,  clasping  her  arms  around  his  neck,  and  sobbing : 

"  My  father  !  Take  me  just  once  to  your  heart  !  Call  me 
daughter  ;  let  me  once  in  my  life  hear  the  blessed  words  from 
my  own  father's  lips  !" 

He  strained  her  to  his  bosom,  and  kissed  the  pure  face, 
while  tears  trickled  over  his  cheeks,  and  dripped  down  on  hers. 
Her  mother  made  a  step  forward  to  snatch  her  back,  but  at 
sight  of  his  tears,  of  the  close  embrace  in  which  he  held  her, 
the  wife  turned  away,  unable  to  look  upon  the  spectacle  and 
preserve  her  composure. 

A  heavy  fall  startled  all  present,  and  a  glance  showed  them 
Gen.  Laurance  lying  insensible  on  the  carpet. 


534  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

IN  the  clear  cold  analytical  light  which  the  "Juventus 
Mundi  "  pours  upon  the  nebulous  realm  of  Hellenic 
lore,  and  Heroic  legend,  we  learn  that  Homer  knew 
"no  Destiny  fighting  with  the  gods,  or  unless  in  the  shape  of 
death, — defying  them," — and  that  the  "  Nemesis — often  inac 
curately  rendered  as  revenge,  was  after  all,  but  self-judgment, 
or  sense  of  moral  law."  Even  in  the  dim  Homeric  dawn, 
Conscience  found  personification. 

Aroused  suddenly  to  a  realization  of  the  wrongs  and  wretch 
edness  to  which  his  inordinate  pride  and  ambition  had  chiefly 
contributed,  the  Nemesis  of  self-judgment  had  opened  its  grim 
assize  in  Gen.  Laurance's  soul,  and  he  cowered  before  the 
phantoms  that  stood  forth  to  testify. 

No  father  of  ordinary  prudence  and  affection  could  have 
failed  to  oppose  the  reckless- folly  of  his  son's  ill-starred  mar 
riage,  or  hesitated  to  save  him, — if  compatible  with  God's  law 
and  human  statutes,  from  the  misery  and  humiliation  it  threat 
ened  to  entail.  But  when  he  made  a  foot-ball  of  marriage 
vows,  and  became  auxiliary  to  a  second  nuptial  ceremony, — 
striving  by  legal  quibbles  to  cancel  what  only  Death  annuls,  the 
hounds  of  Retribution  leaped  from  their  leash. 

The  deepest,  stronges4.  love  of  his  life  had  bloomed  in  the 
sunset  light;  wearing  the  mellow  glory  of  the  after-math  ;  and 
his  heart  clung  to  the  beautiful  dream  of  his  old  age,  with  a 
fierce  tenacity  that  destroyed  it,  when  rudely  torn  away  by  the 
awful  revelations  of  "  Infelice."  To  lose  at  once  not  only  his- 
lovely  idol,  but  that  darling  fetich — Laurance  prestige ;  to 
behold  the  total  eclipse  of  his  proud  reputation  and  family 
name,  to  witness  the  ploughshare  of  social  degradation,  and 
financial  ruin  driven  by  avenging  hands  over  all  he  held  dearest, 
was  a  doom  which  the  vanquished  old  man  could  not  survive. 
Perhaps  the  vital  forces  had  already  begun  to  yield  to  the 


INFELICE. 


535 


disease  that  so  suddenly  prostrated  him  at  Naples, — dashing  the 
cup  of  joy  from  his  thirsty  lips  ;  and  perchance  the  grim  Kata- 
clothes  had  handed  the  worn  tangled  threads  of  existence  to 
their  faithful  minister  Paralysis,  even  before  the  severe  shock 
that  numbed  him  while  sitting  in  the  theatre  loge. 

When  his  eyes  closed  upon  the  spectacle  of  his  son,  folding 
in  his  arms  his  firstborn, — they  shut  out  forever  the  things  of 
time  and  sense,  and  consciousness  that  forsook  him  then,  never 
reoccnpied  its  throne.  He  was  carried  from  the  brilliant  salon 
of  the  popular  actress,  to  the  home  of  his  son  ;  medical  skill 
exhausted  its  ingenuity,  and  though  forty-eight  hours  elapsed, 
before  the  weary  heart  ceased  its  slow  feeble  pulsations,  Gen. 
Laurance's  soul  passed  to  its  final  assize,  without  even  a 
shadowy  farewell  recognition  of  the  son,  for  whom  he  had 
hoped,  suffered,  dared  so  much. 

"  Some  men's  sins  are  open  beforehand  going  before  to  judg 
ment;  and  some  men  they  follow  after." 

During  the  week  that  succeeded  his  temporary  entombment 
in  the  sacred  repose  of  Pere  La  Chaise,  Mrs.  Orme  completed 
her  brief  engagement  at  the  theatre  where  she  had  so  dearly 
earned  her  freshest  laurels  ;  and  though  her  tragic  career  closed 
in  undimmed  splendor,  when  she  voluntarily  abdicated  the 
throne  she  had  justly  won,  bidding  adieu  forever  to  the  scene 
of  former  triumphs, — she  heard -above  the  plaudits  of  the  mul 
titude,  the  stern  whisper — "Vengeance  is  mine  saith  the  Lord, 
I  will  repay." 

The  man  whom  she  most  intensely  hated,  and  most  ardently 
longed  to  humiliate  and  abase  in  public  estimation,  had  es 
caped  the  punishment ;  housed  from  reproach,  by  the  stony 
Avails  of  the  tomb,  mocking  her  efforts  to  requite  the  suffering 
he  had  inflicted  ;  and  the  keenest  anticipations  of  her  vindic 
tive  purpose  were  foiled,  vanquished. 

One  morning,  ten  days  after  the  presentation  of  "Infelice," 
Mrs.  Orme  sat  listening  to  her  daughter,  who  observing  her 
restless  dissatisfied  manner,  proposed  to  read  aloud.  Between 
the  two  had  fallen  an  utter  silence  with  reference  to  the  past, 


536  INFELICE. 

and  not  an  allusion  had  been  made  to  Cuthbert  Laurance, 
since  the  night  he  had  first  held  his  daughter  to  his  heart. 
Death  had  dropped  like  a  sacred  seal  upon  its  memorable  inci 
dents,  which  all  avoided  ;  but  mother  and  child  seemed  hourly 
to  cling  more  closely  to  each  other. 

To-day  sitting  on  a  low  ottoman,  with  her  arm  thrown  across 
her  mother's  knee,  while  the  white  hand  wearing  the  black 
agate  wandered  now  and  then  over  the  drooping  head,  Regina 
read  the  "  Madonna  Mia'' 

She  had  not  concluded  the  perusal,  when  a  card  was  brought 
in,  and  a  glance  at  her  mother's  countenance  left  her  no  room 
to  doubt  the  name  it  bore. 

"After  five  minutes,  show  him  in." 

Mrs.  Orme  closed  her  eyes,  and  her  lips  trembled. 

"  My  daughter  do  you  desire  to  be  present  at  this  last 
earthly  interview  ?" 

"  No  mother.  My  wrongs  I  freely  forgive,  I  told  him  so,  but 
yours  I  can  never  forget ;  and  I  would  prefer  in  future  not  to 
meet  him.  God  pity  and  comfort  you  both." 

She  kissed  her  mother's  cheek, — lips,  even  her  hands,  and 
hastily  retreated.  As  she  vanished,  Mrs.  Orme  threw  herself  on 
her  knees,  and  her  lips  moved  rapidly,  while  she  wrung  her 
fingers  ;  but  the  petition  was  inaudible — known  only  to  the 
Searcher  of  hearts.  Was  it  for  strength  to  prosecute  to  the 
bitter  end  ; — or  for  Grace  to  forgive  ? 

She  placed  a  strong  metal  box  on  the  ormolu  stand  near  her 
chair,  and  had  just  resumed  her  seat  when  Mr.  Laurance  entered, 
and  approached  her.  He  was  in  deep  mourning,  and  his  in 
tensely  pale  but  composed  face  bore  the  chastening  lines  of  a 
profound  and  hopeless  sorrow  ;  but  retained  the  proud  unflinch 
ing  regard  peculiar  to  his  family. 

Of  the  two,  he  was  most  calm  and  self-possessed.  Bowing  in 
answer  to  the  inclination  of  her  head,  he  drew  a  chair  in  front 
of  her,  and  when  he  sat  down,  she  saw  a  package  of  papers  in 
his  hand. 

"  I  am  glad  Mrs.  Laurance,  that  you  grant  me  this  oppor- 


IN  FELICE.  537 

tunity  of  saying  a  few  words,  which  after  to-day  I  shall  seek  no 
occasion  to  repeat  ;  for  with  this  interview  ends  all  intercourse 
between  us,  at  least  in  this  world.  These  papers  I  found  in 
poor  father's  private  desk,  and  I  have  read  them.  They  are 
your  notes,  and  the  marriage  contract,  which  only  awaited  the 
signature,  he  intended  to  affix." 

She  held  out  her  hand,  and  a  burning  blush  dyed  her  cheek, 
as  she  reflected  on  the  loathsome  purpose  which  had  framed 
that  carefully  worded  instrument. 

"To-day  I  leave  Paris, — for  America,  to  front  as  best  I  may, 
the  changed  aspect  of  life.  I  have  not  yet  told  Abbie  of  the 
cloud  of  sorrow  and  humiliation  that  will  soon  break  over  our 
family  circle,  for  poor  little  Maud  has  been  quite  ill,  and  I  de 
ferred  my  bitter  revelation  until  her  mother's  mind  is  composed 
and  clear  enough  to  grasp  the  mournful  truth.  In  the  suit 
which  I  presume  you  will  commence,  as  soon  as  I  land  in 
America,  you  need  apprehend  no  effort  on  my  part  to  elude  the 
consequences  of  my  own  criminal  folly  and  rashness.  I  shall 
attempt  no  defence,  beyond  requiring  my  counsel  to  state,  that 
no  communication  ever  reached  me  from  you  ;  that  I  believed 
you  the  wife  of  another  ; — and  I  shall  also  insist  upon  the  read 
ing  of  the  two  letters  in  answer  to  those  I  wrote, — requesting 
the  President  and  Professor  to  ascertain  where  you  were.  I 
was  assured  that  a  marriage  contracted  during  my  minority,  was 
invalid,  and  without  due  investigation  of  the  statutes  of  the  State 
in  which  it  was  performed — and  which  had  unfortunately  un 
dergone  a  change,  I  believed  it.  Your  right  as  a  wife  is  clear, 
indisputable,  inalienable,  and  cannot  be  withheld  ;  and  the  di 
vorce  you  desire  will  inevitably  be  granted.  I  cannot  censure 
your  resolution,  it  is  due  to  yourself, — doubly  due  to  your  child, 
—our  child !  My  child  !  Oh  that  I  had  known  the  truth  sev 
enteen  years  ago  !  How  different  your  fate  and  mine  !  " 

She  leaned  back,  closing  her  eyes,  against  the  eloquent  plead 
ing  of  that  mesmeric  countenance — which  was  slowly  robbing 
her  of  her  stern  purposes ;  renewing  the  spell  she  had  never 
been  able  to  fully  resist. 
2  ;* 


538  INF E  LICE. 

He  saw  the  spasm  of  pain  that  wrinkled  her  brow,  blanched 
her  lips ;  and  gazing  into  the  lovely  face  so  dear  to  him,  he  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Minnie  !  Minnie  !  Oh  my  wife  !     My  own  wife  !  " 

He  sank  on  his  knees  before  her,  and  his  handsome  head  fell 
upon  the  arm  of  her  chair.  She  covered  her  face  with  her 
hands, — and  a  smothered  sob  broke  from  her  tortured  heart. 

"  I  have  sinned,  but  not  intentionally  against  you.  God  is 
my  witness — had  I  known  all,  twenty  oceans  could  not  have 
kept  me  from  my  wife  and  my  baby  ?  When  you  lived  it  all  over 
again  that  night,  when  I  saw  you  ill,  deserted,  in  a  charity  hos 
pital, — with  the  child  you  say  is  mine,  cradled  in  your  arms, — 
oh  !  then  indeed  I  suffered,  what  all  the  pangs  of  perdition  can 
not  surpass.  When  you  and  I  married,  we  were  but  children, 
but  I  loved  you  ;  afterward  when  I  was  a  man,  I  madly  re 
newed  those  vows  to  one,  whom  I  was  urged,  persuaded  to  wed. 
I  am  not  a  villain,  and  I  know  my  duties  to  the  mother  of  my 
afflicted  Maud, — to  the  child  of  my  loveless  union,  and  I  intend 
rigidly  to  discharge  them.  But  Minnie,  God  knows  that  you  are 
my  true — lawful  wife,  and  I  want  here  upon  my  knees,  before  we 
part  forever,  to  tell  you  that  no  other  woman  ever  possessed  my 
heart.  I  have  tried  to  be  a  patient,  kind  indulgent  husband  to 
Abbie, — but  when  I  look  at  you, — and  think  of  her  ; — remem 
bering -that  my  own  rash  blindness  shut  me  from  the  Eden  that 
now  seems  so  deliciously  alluring,  when  I  realize  what  might 
have  been  for  you  and  me, — my  punishment  indeed  appears 
unendurable.  Ah — no  language  can  describe  my  feelings,  as  I 
looked  at  that  noble  lovely  girl.  Oh  the  fond  pride  of  knowing 
that  she  is  mine  as  well  as  yours  !  My  wife  !  My  wife — let  the 
holy  blue  eyes  and  pure  lips  of  our  baby,  our  daughter — plead 
her  father's  forgiveness" 

His  voice  faltered.  There  was  a  deep  silence.  Although 
kneeling  so  near,  he  made  no  attempt  to  touch  her.  For  fif 
teen  years,  she  had  struggled  against  all  tender  memories,  and 
every  softening  recollection  had  been  harshly  banished.  She 
had  trained  herself  to  despise  and  hate  the  man  who  had  so 


INF E  LICE.  539 

blackened  her  life  at  its  dewy  threshold ;  but  the  mysterious 
workings  of  a  woman's  heart  baffles  experience,  analysis,  and 
conjecture. 

Listening  to  the  low  cadence  of  the  beloved  voice  that  first 
waked  her  from  the  magic  realm  of  childhood,  and  unsealed  the 
fountain  of  affection, — the  days  of  their  courtship  stole  back ; 
— the  blissful  hours  of  the  brief  honeymoon.  He  was  her 
lover,  her  noble  young  husband,  above  all — he  was  the  father 
of  her  baby — and  yielding  to  the  old  irresistible  infatuation,  she 
suddenly  laid  her  hand  upon  his  head.  As  yet  she  had  not 
uttered  a  syllable  since  his  entrance, — but  the  floodgates  were 
lifted,  and  he  heard  the  despairing  cry  of  her  famished  heart : 

"  Oh  my  husband  !     My  husband, — my  own  husband  !  " 

He  threw  his  arms  around  her  as  she  leaned  toward  him,  and 
drew  the  head  to  his  shoulder.  So  in  silence  they  rested,  and 
he  felt  that  one  arm  tightened  around  him,  as  he  knelt  holding 
her  to  his  heart. 

"Minnie  .your  true  heart  forgives  your  unworthy  husband. 
Tell  me  so,  and  it  will  enable  me  to  bear  all  that  the  future 
may  contain.  Say  Cuthbert  I  forgive  you." 

She  struggled  up,  gazed  into  his  eyes,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  No — I  loved  you  too  well, — too  insanely  ever  to  forgive. 
If  I  had  loved  you  less,  I  might  have  forgiven  more.  There  is 
no  meekness  in  my  soul,  but  an  intolerable  bitterness  that 
mocks  and  maddens  me.  I  ought  to  despise  myself,  and  I  cer 
tainly  shall, — for  this  unpardonable  weakness.  But  very  preci 
ous  memories  unnerved  me  just  then,  and  I  clung — not  to  you, 
— not  to  Abbie  Ames'  husband,  but  to  the  phantom  of  the 
Cuthbert, — whom  long  ago  I  loved  so  well, — to  the  vision  of 
the  young  bridegroom  I  worshipped  so  blindly.  Let  me  go. 
Our  interview  is  ended." 

She  withdrew  from  his  arms,  and  rose. 

"  Before  I  go,  let  me  see  our  child  once  more.  Let  me  tell 
her  that  her  father  is  inexpressibly  proud  of  the  daughter,  who 
will  honor  his  unworthy  name." 

"  She  declines  meeting  you  again." 


540  INFELJCJ&. 

"  Minnie  don't  teach  her  to  hate  me  ! " 

"I  gave  her  the  opportunity,  and  she  made  her  own  choice, 
saying,  she  freely  forgave  the  wrongs  committed  against  her, 
but  her  mother's — she  could  never  forget.  If  I  had  asked  of 
Heaven  the  keenest  punishment  within  the  range  of  vengeance, 
it  seems  to  me  none  could  exceed  the  wretchedness  of  the  man, 
who  owning  my  darling  for  his  child,  is  yet  debarred  from  her 
love,  her  reverence,  her  confidence,  and  the  precious  charm  of 
her  continual  presence.  My  sweet, — tender,  perfect  daughter  ! 
The  one  true  heart  in  all  the  wide  world  that  loves  and  clings 
to  me.  You  forsook  and  disowned  me,  repudiated  your  vows, 
offered  them  elsewhere,  making  unto  yourself  strange  new 
gods ; — profaning  the  altar,  where  other  images  should  have 
stood.  The  banker's  daughter,  and  the  Laurance  heiress  she 
bore  you,  are  entitled  to  what  remains  of  your  fickle  selfish 
heart,  and  I  trust  that  the  two  who  supplanted  my  baby  and 
me,  will  suffice  for  your  happiness  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past. 
Into  my  own  and  my  darling's  life,  you  can  enter  no  more. 
'Whatsoever  a  man  soweth  that  shall  he  reap.  Do  men  gather 
grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles?'  You  deem  me  relent 
less  and  vindictive  ?  Think  of  all  the  gray,  sunless,  woful  ex 
istence  I  showed  you  behind  the  footlights — not  many  nights 
since, — and  censure  me  if  you  can.  There  is  no  pious  resigna 
tion  in  my  proud  soul :— for  indeed — '  There  are  chastisements 
that  do  not  chasten  ;  there  are  trials  that  do  not  purify,  and 
sorrows  that  do  not  elevate  ;  there  are  pains  and  privations 
that  harden  the  tender  heart,  without  softening  the  stubborn 
will.'  Of  such  are  the  sombre  warp  and  woof  of  my  ill-starred 
life.  When  you  reach  New  York,  Mr.  Erie  Palma,  who  is  my 
counsel,  will  acquaint  you  with  the  course  he  deems  it  best  to 
pursue." 

She  looked  calm  and  stately  as  the  Ludovisian  Juno,  and 
quite  as  lovely,  in  her  pale  pride. 

"  Minnie  do  not  part  from  me  in  anger.  Oh  my  wife — let 
me  fold  you  in  my  arms  once  more  ! — And  once,  just  once, — 
I  pray  you  let  me  kiss  you !  Are  you  not  my  own?" 


INFELICE.  54I 

She  recoiled  a  step,  her  brown  eyes  lightened,  and  her  words 
fell  crisp  as  icicles  : 

"  Since  I  was  a  bride,  three  weeks  a  wife, — since  yon  pressed 
them  last,  no  man's  lips  have  touched  mine.  I  hold  them  too 
sacred  to  that  dear  buried  past,  to  be  submitted  to  a  pressure 
less  holy, — to  be  profaned  by  those  of  another  woman's  husband. 
Only  my  daughter  kisses  my  lips.  Yours  are  soiled  with  per 
jury,  and  belong  to  the  wife  and  child  of  your  choice.  Go  pay 
your  vows,  be  true  at  last  to  something.  Good-by." 

He  came  closer,  but  her  pitiless  chill  face  repulsed  him. 
Seizing  her  beautiful  hand,  white  and  cold  as  marble,  he  lifted 
it,  but  the  flash  of  the  diamonds  smote  his  heart  like  a  heavy 
flail. 

"  The  death's-head,  that  you  gave  me  as  a  bridal  token  !  Is 
there  not  a  fatality  even  in  symbols  ?  Upon  my  wedding  ring 
stands  the  cinerary  urn, — that  soon  sepulchred  my  peace,  my 
hopes.  A  mockery  so  exquisite,  could  not  have  been  acciden 
tal,  and  faithfully  that  grinning  skeleton  has  walked  with  me. 
The  ghastly  coat  of  arms  of  Laurance." 

She  had  thrown  off  his  clasp,  raised  her  hand,  and  turned  the 
ring  over,  till  the  jewels  glowed,  then  it  fell  back  nerveless  at 
her  side. 

"  Minnie." 

His  voice  was  broken,  but  her  lustrous  eyes  betrayed  no  hint 
of  pity. 

"  My  wife  has  no  pardon  for  her  erring  husband.  I  have 
merited  none,  still  I  hoped  for  one  kind  farewell  word  from  lips 
that  are  strangely  dear  to  me.  So  be  it.  Tell  my  daughter,  if 
her  unhappy  father  dared  to  pray,  he  would  invoke  Heaven's 
choicest  blessings  on  her  young  innocent  head.  And  Minnie, 
love, — let  our  baby's  eyes  and  lips  successfully  plead  pardon  for 
her  father's  unintentional  sins,  against  the  wife  he  never  ceased 
to  love." 

He  caught  the  hand  once  more, — kissed  the  ring  he  had 
placed  there  eighteen  years  before,  and  feeling  his  hot  trem- 


542  INFELICE. 

bling  lips  upon  her  icy  fingers,  she  shut  her  eyes.     When  she 
opened  them — she  was  alone. 

"  We  twain  have  met  like  ships  upon  the  sea, 
Who  hold  an  hour's  converse,  so  short,  so  sweet ; — 
One  little  hour  !  and  then,  away  they  speed, 
On  lonely  paths,  through  mist,  and  cloud  and  foam— 
To  meet  no  more  ! " 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

| ROM  the  window  of  one  of  those  beautiful  villas  that 
encrust  the  shores  of  Como,  nestling  like  white  birds 
at  the  base  of  the  laurel  and  vine-clad  hills  that  lave 
their  verdant  feet  in  the  blue  waters,  Regina  watched  the  sun 
shine  falling  across  the  placid  bosom  of  the  lake.  Far  away, 
on  the  sky-line  opposite,  and  towering  above  the  intervening 
mountains,  glittered  the  white  fire  of  the  snowy  Alps,  as  if  they 
longed  to  quench  their  dazzling  lustre  in  the  peaceful  blue 
sleeping  beneath. 

Luxuriant  vines  clambered  along  the  hillsides,  and  where  the 
latter  had  been  cut  in  terraces,  and  seemed  swinging  like  the 
gardens  of  Semiramis,  orange,  lemon,  myrtle  and  olive  trees 
showed  all  .their  tender  green  and  soft  gray  tints,  and  long 
haired  acacias  waved  in  the  evening  air,  that  was  redolent  of 
the  faint  delicious  vesper  incense  swung  from  the  pink  chalices 
of  climbing  roses. 

"No  tree  cumbered  with  creepers  let  the  sunshine  through, 
But  it  was  caught  in  scarlet  cups,  and  poured 
From  these  on  amber  tufts  of  bloom,  and  dropped 
Lower  on  azure  stars." 

Never  weary  of  studying  the  wonderful  beauty  of  the  sur 
rounding  scenery,  Regina  surrendered  herself  to  an  enjoyment 


IN  FELICE.  543 

that  would  have  been  unalloyed,  had  not  a  lurking  shadow  cast 
its  unwelcome  chill  on  all.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waul  had  returned 
to  America,  and  for  a  month  Mrs.  Laurance  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Chesley  and  Regina,  had  been  quietly  ensconced  in  this 
lovely  villa,  whose  terraces  and  balconies  projected  almost  into 
the  water,  and  commanded  some  of  the  finest  views  of  the  lake. 

But  anxiety  had  followed,  taking  up  its  dreary  watch  in  the 
midst  of  that  witchery  which  might  have  exorcised  the  haunting 
gray  ghost  of  care  ;  and  though  shrouded  by  every  imaginable 
veil  and  garland  of  beauty,  its  grim  presence  was  as  fully  felt, 
as  that  of  the  byssus-clad  mummy  that  played  its  allotted  part 
at  ancient  Coptic  feasts. 

The  steamer  in  which  Mr.  Laurance  embarked  with  his  fam 
ily,  for  America,  had  been  lost  in  mid  Atlantic  ;  and  only  one 
boat  filled  with  a  portion  of  the  passengers  and  crew,  had  been 
rescued  by  a  West  Indian  ship  bound  for  Liverpool.  Among 
the  published  names  of  the  few  survivors,  that  of  Laurance  did 
not  appear. 

Had  old  ocean  mercifully  opened  its  crystal  bosom  and  gath 
ered  to  coral  caves  and  shrouding  purple  algae  the  unfortunate 
man,  who  had  quaffed  all  the  rosy  foam  beading  the  goblet  of 
life,  and  for  whom  it  only  remained  to  drain  the  bitter  lees  of 
public  humiliation,  and  social  disgrace  ? 

When  Mrs.  Laurance  received  the  first  intimation  that 
Cuthbert  had  probably  perished,  with  his  wife  and  child,  she 
vehemently  and  stubbornly  refused  her  credence.  It  seemed 
impossible  that  envious  death  could  have  so  utterly  snatched 
from  her  grasp  the  triumph,  upon  which  her  eager  fingers  were 
already  closing. 

Causing  advertisements  to  be  inserted  in  various  journals, 
and  offering  therein  a  reward  for  information  of  the  missing  pas 
sengers,  she  forbade  the  topic  broached  in  her  presence,  and 
quitting  Paris,  retired  for  a  season  to  Lake  Como ;  vainly  seek 
ing  that  coveted  tranquillity,  which  everywhere,  her  own  harrow 
ing  thoughts  and  ceaseless  forebodings  effectually  murdered. 

As  time  wore  on,  she  grew  gloomy,  taciturn,  almost  morose, 


544  INFELICE. 

and  a  restlessness  beyond  the  remedy  of  medicine,  robbed  her 
of  the  power  of  sleep.  To-day  she  clung  convulsively  to  her 
daughter,  unwilling  that  she  should  leave  her  even  for  an  in 
stant  ;  to-morrow  she  would  lock  herself  in,  and  for  hours  refuse 
admittance  to  any  human  being.  The  rich  bloom  forsook  her 
cheek,  deep  shadows  underlined  her  large  melancholy  eyes,  and 
her  dimpled  hands  became  so  diaphanous,  so  thin,  that  the  black 
agate  ring  with  difficulty  held  its  place  upon  the  wasted  fingers. 

With  patient  loving  care,  Regina  anticipated  her  wishes,  in 
dulged  all  her  varying  caprices,  devoted  herself  assiduously  to 
the  task  of  diverting  her  mind,  and  comforting  her  heart  by  the 
tender  ministrations  of  her  own  intense  filial  affection.  By  day, 
she  read,  talked,  sang  to  her.  When  in  the  tormentingly  still 
hours  of  night,  her  mother  refused  the  thorns  of  a  sleepless 
pillow,  the  daughter  drew  her  out  upon  the  terrace  against  which 
the  wavelets  broke  in  a  silvery  monologue,  and  directed  her 
thoughts  to  the  glowing  stars  that  clustered  in  the  blue  dome 
above, — and  shimmered  in  the  azure  beneath;  or  with  an  arm 
around  the  mother's  waist,  led  her  into  the  flowery  garden,  and 
up  the  winding  walks  that  climbed  the  eminence  behind  the 
villa, — where  oleanders  whitened  the  gloom,  and  passionate 
jasmines  broke  their  rich  hearts  upon  the  dewy  air ; — so,  pac 
ing  to  and  fro,  until  the  moon  went  down  behind  myrtle  groves, 
— and  the  bald  brow  of  distant  Alps  flushed  under  the  first  kiss 
of  day. 

For  Mrs.  Laurance,  nepenthe  was  indeed  a  fable,  and  while 
she  abstained  from  even  an  indirect  allusion  to  the  subject  that 
Absorbed  her,  the  nameless  anxiety  that  seemed  consuming  her, 
— Regina  and  her  uncle  watched  her  with  increasing  apprehen 
sion. 

This  afternoon  she  had  complained  of  headache,  and  throw 
ing  herself  on  a  couch  in  the  recess  of  the  window  that  over 
looked  the  lake,  desired  to  be  left  alone,  in  the  hope  of  falling 
asleep. 

Stooping  to  kiss  her,  Regina  said  : 

"  Mother  let  me  sit  by  you,  and  while  I  fan  you  gently, — read 


INP 'E LICE.  545 

the  '  Lotos  Eaters.'     The  drowsy  rhythm  will  lull  you  into  that 
realm  of  rest, — 

*  In  which  it  seemed  always  afternoon.' 

May  I?" 

"  No.  To-day  your  blue  eyes  would  stab  my  sleep.  I  will 
\.ing  when  I  want  you. 

Dropping  the  filmy  lace  curtains,  in  order  to  lessen  the  reflec 
tion  from  the  water,  Regina  softly  stole  away,  and  sat  down  at 
the  window  of  the  salon,  where  satin-leaved  arums,  and  dainty 
pearly  orchids  embellished  the  consoles,  and  fragrant  heliotrope 
and  geraniums  were  blooming  in  pots  clustered  upon  the  stone 
balcony  outside. 

Each  day  the  favorite  view  of  the  lake  and  bending  shore  line, 
upon  which  she  gazed  from  this  spot,  developed  some  new 
beauty,  hidden  hitherto  under  leafy  laurel  shadows,  or  behind 
the  snowy  sail  of  some  fishing-boat,  rocking  idly  upon  the  azure 
waves. 

Now  the  burden  of  her  reflections  was  : 

"  If  we  could  only  spend  our  lives  in  this  marble  haven,  away 
from  the  turmoil  and  feverish  confusion  of  the  outside  world  ; — 
forgetting  the  past,  contented  with  the  society  of  each  other, — 
and  shut  in  with  God  and  nature  —  how  peaceful  the  future 
would  be, — nay,  how  happy  all  might  yet  become?" 

Sympathy  with  her  mother,  had  forced  her  to  put  temporarily 
aside  the  contemplation  of  her  own  sorrow,  but  in  secret  it 
preyed  upon  her  heart  ;  and  whenever  a  letter  arrived,  she 
dreaded  the  announcement  of  Air.  Palma's  marriage. 

His  parting  allusion  to  a  brief  European  visit,  she  had  by 
the  aid  of  her  fears,  interpreted  to  mean  a  bridal  tour,  curtailed 
by  his  business  engagements ;  and  though  she  never  mentioned 
his  name  when  it  could  be  avoided,  she  could  not  hear  it 
casually  pronounced  by  her  uncle  or  mother,  without  feeling 
her  heart  bound  suddenly. 

Once  soon  after  her  arrival  in  Paris,  her  mother  in  reading 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Palma,  glanced  at  her,  and  said  : 


546  INFELICE. 

"  Your  guardian  desires  me  to  say,  that  in  your  undisguised 
devotion  to  Uncle  Orme,  he  presumes  he  is  completely  forgot 
ten  ;  but  consoles  himself  with  the  reflection,  that  from  time 
immemorial,  wards  have  been  like  the  Carthaginians, — prover 
bially  ungrateful." 

Regina  made  no  response,  and  since,  then,  she  had  received 
no  message. 

While  she  sat  gazing  over  Como,  a  mirage  rose  glistening 
between  her  eyes,  and  the  emerald  shore  beyond ; — the  dear 
familiar  outlines  of  that  Fifth  Avenue  library, — the  frescoed 
walls,  polished  floor, — mellow  gas  lamps, — and  above  all,  the 
stately  form,  massive  head,  high  brow,  so  like  a  slab  of  marble, 
— and  bright  black  eyes  of  the  dear  master. 

She  was  glad  when  Mr.  Chesley  came  in,  with  an  open  book 
in  his  hand,  and  stood  near  her. 

"  Is  your  mother  asleep  ?  " 

"  I  hope  so.     She  sent  me  away,  that  she  might  get  a  nap." 

"  Just  now  I  stumbled  upon  a  passage  which  reminded  me 
so  vividly  of  the  imaginary  home  you  last  week  painted  for  us, 
somewhere  along  the  Pacific  shore, — that  I  thought  I  would 
show  it  to  you.  That  home,  where  you  hope  to  indulge  your 
bucolic  tastes,  your  childish  fondness  for  pets, — doves,  rabbits, 
• — pheasants, — and  similar  rustic  appendages  to  our  cottage — 
in — the — air.  Here  read  if, — aloud  if  you  will." 

She  glanced  over  the  lines,  smiled,  and  read  : 

"  'Mong  the  green  lanes  of  Kent,  stood  an  antique  home 
Within  its  orchard,  rich  with  ruddy  fruits ; 
For  the  full  year  was  laughing  in  his  prime. 
\Venlth  of  all  flowers  grew  in  that  garden  green, 
And  the  old  porch  with  its  great  oaken  door 
Was  smothered  in  rose-blooms,  while  o'er  the  walls 
The  honeysuckle  clung  deliciously. 
Before  the  door  there  lay  a  plot  of  grass 
Snowed  o'er  with  daisies, — flower  by  all  beloved, 
And  famousest  in  song, — and  in  the  midst, 
A  carved  fountain  stood,     ..... 
On  which  a  peacock  perched  and  sunned  itself; 


IXFELICE.  1547 

Beneath,  two  petted  rabbits,  snowy  white, 

Squatted  upon  the  sward. 

A  row  of  poplars  darkly  rose  behind, 

Around  whose  tops,  and  the  old-fashioned  vanes, 

White  pigeons  fluttered  ;  and  over  all  was  bent 

The  mighty  sky,  with  sailing  sunny  clouds." 

"  Thank  you  Uncle  Orme.  The  picture  is  as  sweet  as  its 
honeysuckle  blooms,  and  some  day  we  will  frame  it  with  Cali 
fornia  mountains,  and  call  it  Home.  I  shall  only  want  to 
add,  a  gently  sloping  field,  wherein  pearly  Short-Horns  stand 
ankle  deep  in  clover, — while  my  dear  old  dog  Hero  basks  upon 
the  doorstep ; — and  upon  the  lawn, — 

1  An  almond  tree 

Pink  with  her  blossom,  and  alive  with  bees, 
Standing  against  the  azure.'" 

"Yonder  come  the  letters." 

As  he  spoke,  Mr.  Chesley  left  the  room,  and  soon  after,  a 
servant  entered  with  a  letter  addressed  to  Regina. 

It  was  from  Olga,  dated  Baden-Baden  ;  and  the  vein  of  sub 
dued  yet  hopeless  melancholy  that  wandered  through  its  con 
tents,  now  and  then  intertwined  strangely  with  a  thread  of  her 
old  grim  humor. 

"Do  you  ever  hear  from  that  legal  sphinx — Erie  Palma? 
Mamma  only  now  and  then  receives  epistles  fashioned  after 
those  once  in  vogue  in  Laconia.  (I  wonder  if  even  the  old 
toothless  gossips  in  Sparta  were  ever  laconic?)  I  am  truly 
sorry  for  Erie  Palma.  That  beautifully  crystallized  quartz 
heart  of  his,  is  no  doubt  being  ground  between  the  upper  and 
nether  millstones  of  his  love  and  his  pride  ;  and  Hymen  ought 
to  charge  him  heavy  mill-toll.  My  dear  have  you  seen  Elliott 
Roscoe's  little  tinted-paper  poem?  Of  course  his  apostrophe 
to,  *  violet  eyes,  over-laced  with  jet ! '  will  sound  quite  Tenny- 
sonian  to  a  certain  little  shy  girl,  now  hiding  at  Como, — and 
who  'inspired  the  strain.'  But  aside' from  the  pleasant  associa- 


548  INFELICE. 

tion  that  links  you  with  the  verses, — they  are, — pardon  me 
dear, — as  thin,  as  ilavorless.  as, — well  as  the  soup  dished  out 
at  pauper  restaurants.  You  are  at  liberty  to  consider  me  con 
sumed  by  envy,  green  with  jealousy,  when  I  here  spitefully 
record,  that  Elliott's  ambitious  poem  reminds  me  of  M.  de 
Bonald's  biting  criticism  on  Mine,  de  Kriidener :  *  I  make 
bold  to  declare  with  the  Bible  in  my  hand,  that  the  poor  we 
shall  always  have  with  us, — were  it  only  the  poor  in  intellect.' 
Coke  and  Story  will  befriend  poor  Elliott  much  more  effectu 
ally  than  the  Muses, — who  have  most  ingloriously  snubbed 
him.  Are  you  really  happy,  little  snow-bird, — nestling  in  the 
down  of  mother-love, — which, — like  the  veritable  baby  you  are, 
you  so  pined  for  ? 

Regina,  I  am  going  to  tell  you  something.  Bar  the  win 
dows, — lock  the  doors, — shut  it  up  forever,  close  in  your  own 
heart.  A  few  nights  ago,  I  went  with  an  English  friend  to  the 
Convtrsationshaus.  When  we  had  leaned  awhile  against  one 
of  the  columns,  and  watched  the  dancers  in  the  magnificent 
saloon,  he  proposed  to  show  me  the  grand  gambling  room. 

"  As  we  walked  slowly  along,  listening  to  the  click  of  the  gold, 
that  pattered  down  from  trembling  hands,  I  saw  sitting  at  a 
Roulette  table, — deeply  immersed  in  the  game, — (never  tell  it !) 
Belmont  Kggleston.  Not  the  same  classic  god-like  face,  that  I 
would  once  have  followed  straight  to  Hades  ; — not  the  man 
upon  whom  I  wasted  all  the  love  that  God  gives  a  woman  to 
glorify  her  life  and  home, — but  a  Hushed,  bloated  creature, — as 
unlike  the  Belmont  of  my  hopes  and  dreams,  as — '  Hyperion 
to  a  Satyr  ! '  1  watched  him,  till  my  very  soul  turned  sick,  and 
all  Pandemonium  seemed  to  have  joined  in  a  jeer  at  my  form-er 
infatuation.  Next  day,  I  saw  him  reel  from  a  saloon,  to  the 
steps  of  his  wife's  carriage.  Years  ago,  when  Erie  Palma  told 
me  that  my  darling  drank  and  gambled, — I  denied  it ;  and  in 
return  for  ';he  warning,  emptied  more  wrath  upon  my  informer, 
than  all  the  apocalyptic  vials  held.  Ah  !  for  poor  Belmont,  I 
fought  as  fiercely  as  a  tawny  tigress,  when  her  youngest  cub  is 
captured  by  the  hunters.  Ashes  !  Bitter  ashes  of  love  and 


INFELICE.  549 

trust  J     Truly  '  there  is  no  pardon   for  desecrated  ideals.'     I 
have  lived  to  learn  that : 

'  Man  trusts  in  God  ; 
He  is  eternal.     Woman  trusts  in  man, 
And  he  is  shifting  sand.'  " 

"  Regina  ! " 

The  girl  looked  up,  and  saw  her  uncle  with  an  open  letter  in 
his  hand. 

"  What  is  it  ?     Some  bad  news  !  " 

"  Dear  little  girl,  you  are  indeed  fatherless  now." 

She  bent  her  head  upon  the  ledge  of  the  window,  and  after  a 
moment  Mr.  Chesley  sighed,  and  smoothed  her  hair. 

"With  all  his  faults,  he  was  still  your  father;  and  having  had 
several  interviews  with  him  in  Paris,  I  was  convinced  he  was 
more  'sinned  against  than  sinning,'  though  of  course  he  knew 
that  he  could  never  have  legally  married  again,  while  Minnie 
lived.  God  help  us  to  forgive,  even  as  we  need  and  hope  to 
be  forgiven." 

"  He  knows  I  forgave  him.  I  told  him  so,  the  night  he  held 
me  to  his  heart,  and  kissed  me  ;  and  you  never  can  know  how 
that  thought  comforts  me  now.  But  mother  !  Uncle  " 

She  sprang  up  pale  and  tearful,  but  he  detained  her. 

"  Mr.  Palma  writes  me  that  there  remains  no  longer  a  doubt, 
that  Laurance  perished  in  the  wreck.  He  encloses  a  detailed 
account  of  the  disaster,  from  an  American  Naval  surgeon,  who 
was  returning  home  on  furlough,  when  the  storm  overtook 
them, — and  who  was  one  of  the  few  picked  up  by  the  West  In 
dian  vessel.  Mr.  Palma  wrote  to  him,  relative  to  your  father, 
and  it  appears  from  his  reply — in  my  hand, — that  he  knew  the 
Laurances  quite  well.  He  says  that  during  the  gale,  he  was 
called  to  prescribe  for  Maud,  who  was  really  ill,  and  rendered 
worse  by  terror.  When  it  was  evident  the  steamer  could  not 
outlive  the  storm,  he  saw  Cuthbert  Laurance  place  his  wife  in 
one  of  the  boats,  and  return  to  the  cabin,  for  his  sick  child. 
Hastening  back  with  the  little  cripple  in  his  arms,  he  found  the 
boats  were  beyond  reach, — and  too  crowded  to  admit  another 


550  INFELICE. 

passenger.  He  shouted  to  the  nearest,  to  take  his  child,  only 
his  child; — but  the  violence  of  the  gale  rendered  it  impossible 
to  do  more  than  keep  the  boat  from  swamping,  and  with  many 
others,  he  was  left  upon  the  doomed  vessel.  There  was  no  re 
maining  boat  \  night  came  swiftly  on,  the  storm  increased,  and 
next  day  there  was  no  vestige  of  boat  or  ship  visible.  Mrs. 
Laurance  was  in  the  second  boat,  the  largest  and  strongest, 
but  it  was  overladen,  and  about  twilight  it  capsized  in  the  fury 
of  the  gale,  and  all  went  down.  The  surgeon  who  heard  the 
wild  screams  of  the  women,  knows  that  the  wife  perished,  and 
says  he  cannot  indulge  the  faintest  hope  that  the  father  and 
child  escaped.  Cuthbert  was  a  remarkably  skilful  swimmer ; 
he  had  once  contended  for  a  wager  oft"  Brighton,  with  a  party 
of  naval  officers,  and  Laurance  won  it ;  but  none  could  live  in 
the  sea  that  boiled  and  bellowed  around  that  sinking  ship,  and 
encumbered  as  he  was,  with  the  helpless  child,  it  was  impossi 
ble  that  he  could  have  survived.  I  would  rather  not  tell 
Minnie  now,  but  Mr.  Palma  writes  that  the  sister  and  nephew 
of  Gen.  Laurance  will  force  a  suit  to  secure  the  remnants  of 
the  property,  and  he  wishes  to  anticipate  their  action.  Come 
with  me  dear.  Minnie  is  not  asleep.  As  I  passed  her  door, 
I  heard  her  walk  across  the  floor." 

"  Uncle  Orme  can't  you  wait  till  to-morrow  ?  I  do  not 
know  how  this  news  will  affect  her,  and  I  dread  it." 

"My  dear  child,  her  suspense  is  destroying  her.  After  all, 
delay  will  do  no  good.  Poor  Minnie  !  There  is  her  bell.  She 
knows  the  hour  our  mail  is  due,  and  she  will  ask  for  letters." 

Opening  the  door,  both  paused  at  the  threshold,  and  neither 
could  ever  forget  the  picture  she  presented. 

In  a  snowy  peignoir,  she  sat  on  the  side  of  the  couch,  with 
her  long  waving  hair  falling  in  disorder  to  the  marble  floor,  and 
seemed  indeed  like  Japhet's  "  Amarant :  " 

"  She  in  her  locks  is  like  the  travelling  sun, 
Setting,  all  clad  in  coifing  clouds  of  gold." 

The  wan   Phidian  face  was  turned  toward  them,  and  was 


IN  FELICE.  551 

breathless  in  its  anxious  eagerly  questioning  expression.  Her 
brown  eyes  widened,  searching  theirs ;  and  reading  all,  in  her 
daughter's  tearful  pitying  gaze, — what  a  wild  look  crossed  her  face. 

Regina  pushed  her  uncle  back,  closed  the  door  and  sprang 
to  the  couch  ; — holding  out  the  letters. 

Sitting  as  still  as  stone,  Mrs.  Laurance  did  not  appear  to 
notice  them. 

"  Darling  mother,  God  knows  what  is  best  for  us  all. 

Slowly  the  strained  eyes  turned  to  the  appealing  face  of  her 
kneeling  child,  and  something  there,  broke  up  the  frozen  deeps 
of  her  heart. 

"Are  you  sure?     Is  there  no  hope?" 

"No  hope  ; — except  to  meet  him  in  heaven.' 

Throwing  her  hands  above  her  head,  the  wretched  woman 
wrung  them  despairingly,  and  the  pain  of  all  the  bitter  past, 
wailed  in  her  passionate  cry  : 

"  Lost — forever  !  And  I  would  not  forgive  him  !  My  hus 
band  !  My  own  husband  !  When  he  begged  for  pardon,  I 
spurned,  and  derided,  and  taunted  him  !  Oh  !  I  meant  some 
time — to  forgive  him  ; — after  I  had  accomplished  all  I  planned. 
After  he  was  beggared,  and  humiliated  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
— and  that  woman  occupied  the  position  where  they  all  sought 
to  keep  me, — a  mother  and  yet  no  lawful  wife, — after  I  had 
enjoyed  my  triumph  a  little  while,  I  fully  intended  to  listen  to 
my  heart  long  enough  to  tell  him,  that  I  forgave  him — because 
he  was  your  father  !  And  now, — where  is  my  revenge  ?  Where, 
is  my  triumph  ?  God  has  turned  His  back  upon  me ; — has 
struck  from  my  hands  all  that  I  have  toiled  for  fifteen  years — • 
to  accomplish.  They  all  triumph  over  me  now, — in  their  quiet 
graves, — resting  in  peace  ; — and  I — live,  only  to  regret !  To 
regret ! " 

Her  eyes  were  dry,  and  shone  like  jewels,  and  when  her 
arms  fell,  her  clenched  hands  rested  unintentionally,  on  her 
daughter's  head. 

"  Mother  he  knows  now,  that  you  forgive  him.  Remember 
that  for  him  all  grief  is  ended  ; — and  try  to  be  comforted." 


552  INF E  LICE. 

"  And  for  me  ?     What  remains  for  me  ?  " 

Her  voice  was  so  deep,  so  sepulchral,  so  despairing,  that 
Regina  clung  closer  to  her. 

"  Your  child,  who  loves  you  so  devotedly ; — and  the  hope  of 
that  blessed  rest  in  heaven,  where  marriages  are  unknown, — 
where  at  last  we  shall  all  dwell  together  in  peace." 

For  some  time  Mrs.  Laurance  remained  motionless  ;  then 
her  lips  moved  inaidibly.  At  length  she  said: 

"  Yes,  my  child, — our  child — is  all  that  is  left.  When  he 
asked  to  kiss  me  once  more, — I  denied  him  so  harshly, — so 
bitterly  !  When  he  tried  to  draw  me  for  the  last  time  to  his 
bosom, — I  hurled  away  his  arms, — would  not  let  him  touch  me. 
Now  I  shall  never  see  him  again.  My  husband  !  The  one 
only  love  of  my  miserable  and  accursed  life  !  Oh  my  beloved  ! 
do  you  know  at  last,  that  the  Minnie  of  your  youth, — the  bride 
of  your  boyhood  has  never,  never  ceased  to  love  her  faithless, 
erring  husband  ?  " 

Her  voice  grew  tremulous,  husky,  and  suddenly  bending 
back  her  daughter's  head,  she  looked  long  at  the  grieved  coun 
tenance. 

"  His  last  words  were :  'Minnie, — love,  let  our  baby's  eyes 
and  lips  plead  pardon  for  her  father's  unintentional  sins.'  They 
do  ; — they  always  shall.  Cuthbert's  own  wonderful  eyes  shin 
ing  in  his  daughter's.  My  husband's  own  proud  beautiful  lips 
— that  kiss  me  so  fondly  every  time  I  press  his  child's  mouth  ! 
At  last  I  can  thank  God  that  our  baby  is  indeed  her  father's 
image  ;  and  because  in  death,  Cuthbert  is  my  own  again, — I 
can  cherish  the  memory, — and  pray  for  the  soul  of  my  husband  ! 
Kiss  me, — kiss  me — oh  my  darling  !  " 

She  kissed  the  girl's  eyes  and  lips,  held  her  off,  gazing  into 
her  face  through  gathering  mist,  then  drew  her  again  to  her 
bosom,  and  the  long  hoarded  bitterness  and  agony  found  vent 
in  a  storm  of  sobs  and  tears. 

"I  must  sit  joyless  in  my  place  ;  bereft, 
As  trees  that  suddenly  have  dropped  their  leaves, 
And  dark  as  nightb  tha<  have  no  moon." 


INF  ELI  CE.  553 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

|NCLE  ORME,  are  you  awake?" 

"My  dear  girl  what  is  the  matter?  Is  Minnie  ill?'1 
"  No  Sir ;  but  this  is  mother's  birthday,  and  if  you 
please  I  want  you.  There  are  a  few  late  peaches  hanging  too 
high  for  my  arms,  and  such  grape-clusters  !  just  beyond  my 
finger  tips.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  gather  them  for  me  ?  I 
intended  to  ask  you  yesterday  afternoon,  but  mother  kept  me 
on  the  terrace  until  it  was  too  late.  I  have  not  heard  you 
moving  about  ?  Do  get  up ;  the  morning  air  is  so  delicious, 
and  the  lake  lies  like  a  huge  rose  with  crimped  petals." 

"You  are  a  tonnentingly  early  lark,  chanting  your  hymns  to 
sunrise,  when  you  should  be  sound  asleep.  You  waked  me  in 
the  midst  of  a  lovelier  rose-colored  dream  than  your  tiresome, 
stupid  lake,  and  I  shall  not  excuse  you  for  disturbing  me. 
Where  is  that  worthless,  black-eyed  chattering  monkey  Giulio  ? 
Am  I  a  boy  to  climb  peach  trees  this  time  of  day,  for  your 
amusement  ?  Oh  !  the  irreverence  of  American  youth." 

"  Giulio  has  gone  on  a  different  errand,  and  I  never  should 
insult  your  venerable  years  by  asking  you  to  climb  trees,  even 
in  honor  of  mother's  birthday  breakfast.  You  can  easily  reach 
all  I  want,  and  then  you  may  come  back  and  finish  your  dream, 
and  I  will  keep  breakfast  waiting  until  you  declare  yourself 
ready.  Here  is  the  basket,  I  am  going  out  to  the  garden." 

Regina  ran  down  into  the  flower-plot  at  the  rear  of  the  house, 
and  after  a  little  while  she  saw  her  uncle,  unencumbered  by  his 
coat,  bearing  the  basket  on  his  arm  and  ascending  one  of  the 
winding  walks  that  terraced  the  hill. 

To  her  lifelong  custom  of  early  rising  she  still  adhered,  and 
in  the  dewy  hours  spent  alone,  in  watching  the  sun  rise  over 
Como,  she  indulged  precious  recollections  that  found  audience 
and  favor  at  no  other  season. 
24 


554  INFELICE. 

It  was  her  habit  to  place  each  morning  a  fresh  bouquet  tipor 
her  mother's  plate,  and  also  to  arrange  the  flower  stand,  that 
since  their  residence  at  the  villa,  had  never  failed  to  grace  the 
centre  of  the  breakfast  table. 

It  was  a  Parsonage  custom,  and  had  always  been  associated 
in  her  mind,  with  the  pastor's  solemn  benediction  at  each  meal. 

To-day,  while  rilling  her  basket  with  blossoms,  some  stray 
waft  of  perfume,  or  perhaps  the  rich  scarlet  lips  of  a  geranium 
glowing  against  the  gray  stone  of  the  wall, — prattled  of  Fifth 
Avenue ;  and  recalled  a  gay  boutonniere  she  once  saw  Mrs. 
Carew  fasten  in  Mr.  Palma's  coat. 

Like  a  serpent  this  thought  trailed  over  all,  and  the  beauty 
of  the  morning  suddenly  vanished.  Was  that  gray-eyed  Cleo 
patra  with  burnished  hair,  low  smooth  brow,  and  lips  like 
Lamia's, — resting  in  her  guardian's  arms,  his  wife  ? 

Three  months  had  elapsed  since  the  day  on  which  Mr.  Ches- 
ley  received  his  last  letter,  containing  tidings  that  bowed  and 
broke  the  haughty  spirit  of  Mrs.  Laurance ;  and  if  Mr.  Palma 
had  written  again,  Regina  had  not  been  informed  of  the  fact. 

Was  he  married,  and  in  his  happiness  as  a  husband,  had  he 
for  a  time  forgotten  the  existence  of  the  friends  in  Europe  ? 

A  shadowy  hopelessness  settled  in  the  girl's  eyes  when  she 
reflected  that  this  was  probably  the  correct  explanation  of  his 
long  silence,  and  a  deep  yearning  to  see  him  once  more,  rose 
in  her  sad  heart.  She  knew  that  it  was  better  so,  with  the 
Atlantic  between  them;  and  yet,  it  seemed  hard,  bitter,  to 
think  of  living  out  the  coming  years,  and  never  looking  upon 
him  again. 

A  heavy  sigh  crossed  her  lips  that  were  beginning  to  wear 
the  patient  lines  of  resignation,  and  turning  from  the  red  gera 
nium  which  had  aroused  the  memory  coiled  in  her  heart,  she 
stepped  upon  the  terrace,  leaned  over  the  marble  balustrade 
and  looked  out. 

The  sun  was  up,  and  in  the  verdant  setting  of  its  shore  the 
lake  seemed  a  huge  sapphire,  girdled  with  emerald. 

In  the  distance  a  fishing  boat  glided  slowly,  its  taut  sails 


INFELICE. 


555 


gleaming  as  the  sunlight  smote  them,  like  the  snowy  pinions 
of  some  vast  bird  brooding  over  the  quiet  water  ;  and  high  in 
the  air,  just  beneath  a  strip  of  orange  cloud  as  filmy  as  lace,  a 
couple  of  happy  pigeons  circled  round  and  round,  each  time 
Hearing  the  sun,  that  was  rapidly  paving  the  lake  with  quivering 
gold. 

Solemn  and  serene  the  distant  Alps  lifted  their  glittering 
domes,  which  cut  sharply  like  crystal  against  the  sky  that  was 
as  deeply,  darkly  blue  as  iapis-lazuli ;  and  behind  the  white 
villas  dotting  the  shore,  vineyards  bowed  in  amber  and  purple 
fruitage,  plentiful  as  Eshcol, — luscious  as  Schiraz. 

The  cool  air  was  burdened  with  mysterious  hints  of  acacias 
and  roses,  which  the  dew  had  stolen  from  drowsy  gardens,  and 
over  the  gently  rippling  waters  floated  the  holy  sound  of  the 
sweet-tongued  bell,  from 

" Where  yonder  church 

Stands  up  to  heaven,  as  if  to  intercede 
For  sinful  hamlets  scattered  at  its  feet." 

Into  the  house,  Regina  passed  slowly,  a  trifle  paler  from  her 
matin  reverie  ;  and  when  she  entered  the  pretty  breakfast-room, 
Mr.  Chesley  had  just  deposited  his  fruity  burden  upon  the  floor. 

"  Thank  you,  dear  Uncle  Orm.e.  Mother  will  enjoy  her 
peaches  when  she  knows  you  gathered  them  with  the  dew  still 
upon  their  down.  Go  finish  your  dream  ; — Heaven  grant  it  be 
sweet !  No  one  shall  even  pass  your  door  for  the  next  hour, 
unless  shod  with  velvet, — or  with  silence.  This  is  the  first  of 
mother's  birthdays,  I  have  had  an  opportunity  to  celebrate,  and 
I  wish  to  surprise  her  pleasantly.  Go  back  to  sleep." 

She  stood  on  tiptoe,  and  lightly  kissed  his  swarthy  cheek. 

"Unfortunately  my  brain  is  not  sufficiently  vassal  to  my  will, 
to  implicitly  obey  its  mandates  ;  and  dropping  on  my  pillow, 
and  falling  into  slumber  are  quite  different  things.  Beside, 
(you  need  not  arch  your  eyebrows  any  higher,  when  I  assure 
you  that,)  despite  my  honorable  years,  my  hearing  is  as  pain 
fully  acute  as  that  of  the  giant  fabled  to  watch  '  Bifrost,' — and 


S56  INFELICE. 

who  '  heard  the  grass  growing  in  the  fields,  and  the  wool  on  tru 
backs  of  young  lambs.'  Last  night  just  as  I  was  lapsing  into  a 
preliminary  doze,  two  vagrant  nightingales  undertook  an  opera 
that  brought  them  to  the  large  myrtle  under  my  window,  where 
I  hoped  they  had  reached  \\\Q  finale.  But  one  of  them, — the 
female  I  warrant  you,  from  the  clatter  of  her  small  tongue — (if 
female  nightingales  can  sing,)  audaciously  perched  on  the  stone 
balcony  in  front  of  my  open  window,  and  such  a  tirade  of  hemi- 
demi-semi-quavers  never  before  insulted  a  sleepy  man.  I 
clapped  my  hands,  but  they  trilled  as  if  all  Persia  had  sent 
them  a  challenge.  Now  I  am  going  to  take  a  bath,  and  since 
you  persisted  in  making  me  get  up,  I  intend  to  punish  you  with 
my  society,  just  as  soon  as  I  finish  my  toilette.  If  you  see  a 
brace  of  birds  smothered  in  truffles  on  the  dinner  table,  you 
may  suspect  the  fate  of  all  who  violate  my  dreams.  Even 
feathered  lovers  are  a  pest.  My  little  girl,  before  you  begin 
your  reign  in  my  California  home,  I  shall  remind  you  of  your 
promise,  that  no  lover  of  yours  will  ever  dare  to  darken  my 
doors." 

With  a  smile  lingering  about  her  lip,  after  her  uncle's  de 
parture,  Regina  filled  the  epergne  on  the  table  with  a  mass  of 
rose-colored  oleanders, — her  mother's  favorite  flowers, — and 
fringed  the  edge  with  geraniums  and  fuchsias.  On  her  plate, 
*she  laid  a  cluster  of  tuberoses,  grouped  and  tied  in  the  shape 
of  a  heart,  with  spicy  apple  geranium  leaves  girdling  the  waxen 
petals.  The  breath  of  the  oleanders  perfumed  the  room,  and 
when  quite  satisfied  with  the  arrangement  of  the  flowers,  Regina 
piled  the  crimson  peaches  and  golden  grapes  in  a  pyramid  on 
the  silver  stand  in  the  centre. 

Drawing  from  her  pocket  a  slender  roll  of  sheet  music  fas 
tened  with  rose  ribbon, — and  a  tiny  envelope  addressed  to  her 
mother,  she  placed  them  upon  Mrs.  Laurance's  plate,  crowning 
all  with  the  white  heart  of  tuberoses. 

For  some  days  she  had  been  haunted  by  a  musical  idea, 
which  gradually  developed  as  she  improvised,  into  a  Nocturne, 
full  of  plaintive  minor  passages  ;  and  this  first  complete  musical 


INFELICE.  557 

composition,  written  out  by  her  own  hand,  she  had  dedicated 
to  her  mother.     It  was  called  :   "  Dreams  of  my  mother." 

Standing  beside  the  table,  her  hands  folded  before  her,  and 
her  head  slightly  drooped,  she  fell  into  a  brief  reverie  ;  won 
dering  how  she  could  endure  to  live  without  the  society  of  this 
beloved  mother,  which  imparted  such  a  daily  charm  to  her 
own  existence,  and  as  she  reflected  on  the  past,  an  expression 
of  quiet  sadness  stole  over  her  countenance,  and  into— 

"The  eyes  of  passionless,  peaceful  blue 
Like  twilight  which  faint  stars  gaze  through." 

Jn  the  doorway  fronting  the  east,  Mr.  Palma  had  stood  for 
some  seconds  unobserved, — studying  the  pretty  room  and  its 
fair  young  queen. 

In  honor  of  her  mother's  birthday,  she  wore  a  white  India 
muslin,  with  a  blue  sash  girding  her  slender  waist,  and  only  a 
knot  of  blue  ribbon  at  her  throat,  where  the  soft  lace  was 
gathered.  Her  silky  hair  rolled  in  a  heavy  coil  low  at  the  back 
of  her  head,  and  was  secured  by  a  gold  comb ;  and  close  to  one 
small  ear  she  had  fastened  a  cluster  of  snowy  velvet  pansies, 
which  contrasted  daintily  with  the  glossy  blackness  of  her 
hair. 

To  the  man  who  had  crossed  the  ocean  solely  to  feast  his 
hungry  eyes  upon  that  delicate  cameo  face, — it  seemed  as  pure 
as  an  angel's.  Although  continual  heart-ache,  and  patient  un 
complaining  need  of  something  that  she  knew  and  felt  God  had 
removed  forever  beyond  her  reach, — had  worn  the  cheek  to  a 
thinner  oval,  and  left  darker  shadows  in  her  calm  eyes, — Mr. 
Palma  who  had  so  long  and  carefully  scrutinized  her  features, 
acknowledged  now,  that  indeed  : 

"She  grew  fairer  than  her  peers; 
Still  her  gentle  forehead  wears 
Holy  lights  of  infant  years." 

Nearly  eight  years  before,  as  he  watched  her  asleep  in  the 
railway  car,  rn  had  wondered  whether  it  were  possible  that  she 


558  INFELICE. 

could  carry  her  tender  loving  heart, — straightforward  white 
soul, — and  saintly  young  face  untarnished  and  unbruised  into 
the  checkered  and  feverish  realm  of  womanhood  ? 

To-day  she  stood  as  fair  and  pure  as  in  her  early  childhood, 
a  gentle  image  of  renunciation,  "all  unspotted  from  the 
world," — whose  withering  breath  he  had  so  dreaded  for  his 
flower. 

Watching  her,  a  sudden  splendor  of  hope  lighted  his  fine  eyes, 
and  a  glow  of  intense  happiness  fired  his  usually  pale  cheek. 

Slowly  she  turned  away  from  the  table,  and  against  the  glory 
of  the  sunlight  streaming  through  the  open  door,  she  saw  her 
guardian's  tall  figure  outlined. 

Was  it  a  mere  blessed  vision,  born  of  her  recent  reverie  on 
the  terrace  ;  or  had  he  died,  and  his  spirit,  reading  the  secret  of 
her  soul,  had  mercifully  flown  to  ccynfort  her  by  one  farewell 
appearance  ? 

He  opened  his  arms,  and  his  whole  face  was  radiant  with 
passionate  and  tender  love.  She  did  not  move,  but  her  eyes 
gazed  into  his,  like  one  in  a  happy  dream,  who  fears  to  awake. 

He  came  swiftly  forward,  and  holding  out  his  arms,  ex 
claimed  in  a  voice  that  trembled  with  the  excess  of  his  joy  : 

"My  Lily!     My  darling  !" 

But  she  did  not  spring  to  meet  him,  as  he  hoped  and  ex 
pected,  and  thrilled  by  the  music  of  his  tone,  she  grew  paler, 
standing  quite  still,  with  trembling  lips,  and  eyes  that  shone 
like  stars  when  autumn  mists  begin  to  gather. 

"  My  Lily  come  to  me,  of  your  own  dear  will." 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  am  glad, — very  glad  to  see  my  guardian  once 
more." 

She  put  out  her  hand,  which  shook,  despite  her  efforts  to 
keep  it  steady,  and  her  own  voice  sounded  far,  far  off,  like  an 
echo  lost  among  strange  hills. 

He  came  a  step  nearer,  but  did  not  take  her  hand,  and  when 
he  leaned  toward  her,  she  suddenly  clasped  her  hands  and 
rested  her  chin  upon  them,  in  the  old  childish  fashion,  he  re 
membered  so  well. 


INFELICE.  559 

"Does  my  Lily  know  why  I  crossed  the  Atlantic?" 

A  spasm  of  pain  quivered  over  her  features,  and  though  he 
saw  how  white  her  lips  turned  at  that  instant,  her  answer  was 
clear,  cold  and  distinct. 

"  Yes  Sir.  You  came  on  your  bridal  tour.  Is  not  your 
wife  at  Como?" 

"  I  hope  so.  I  believe  so ;  I  certainly  expected  to  see  her 
here." 

He  was  smiling  very  proudly  just  then,  but  beginning  to 
suspect  that  he  had  tortured  her  cruelly  by  the  tacit  impost 
ure  to  which  he  had  assented,  his  eyes  dimmed  at  the  thought 
of  her  suffering. 

She  misinterpreted  the  smile,  and  quickly  rallied. 

"  Mr.  Palma  I  hope  you  brought  Llora  also  with  you  ?  " 

"  No.  Why  should  I  ?  She  is  much  better  off  at  home 
with  her  mother." 

"  But  Sir,— I  thought, — I  understood" 

She  caught  her  breath,  and  a  perplexed  expression  came  into 
her  wistful  deep  eyes,  as  she  met  those,  fixed  laughingly  upon 
her. 

"You  thought,  you  understood — what?  That  after  living 
single  all  these  years,  I  am — at  last  foolish  enough  to  want  a 
wife  ?  One  to  kiss,  to  hold  in  my  arms,  to  love  even  better 
than  I  love  myself?  Well,  what  then  ?  I  do  not  deny  it." 

"And  I  hope  Mr.  Palma,  that  she  will  make  you  very 
happy." 

She  spoke  with  the  startling  energy  of  desperation. 

"  Thank  you,  so  do  I.  I  believe, — I  know  she  will ; — I 
swear  she  shall  !  Can  you  tell  me  my  darling's  name  ?  " 

"  Yes  Sir,  it  is  no  secret.  All  the  world  knows  it  is  Mrs. 
Carew." 

She  was  leaning  heavily  upon  her  womanly  pride  ;  how  long 
would  it  sustain  her  ?  Would  it  snap  presently,  and  let  hei 
down  forever  into  the  dust  of  humiliation  ? 

Mr.  Palma  laughed,  and  putting  his  hand  under  her  chin, 
lifted  the  face. 


560  INFELICE. 

"All  the  world  is  very  wise,  and  my  ward  quite  readily 
accepted  its  teachings.  None  but  Olga  suspected  the  truth. 
I  would  not  marry  Brunella  Carew,  if  she  were  the  last  woman 
left  living  on  the  wide  earth.  I  do  not  want  a  fashion-moth. 
I  would  not  have  the  residue  of  what  once  belonged  to  another. 
I  want  a  tender,  pure,  sweet,  fresh  white  flower  that  I  know, — 
and  have  long  watched  expanding  from  its  pretty  bud.  I  want 
my  darling,  whom  no  other  man  has  kissed,  who  never  loved 
any  one  but  me  ; — who  will  come  like  the  lily  she  is,  and  shel 
ter  herself  in  my  strong  arms,  and  bloom  out  all  her  fragrant 
loveliness  in  my  heart  only.  Will  she  come  ?  " 

Once  more  he  opened  his  arms,  and  in  his  brilliant  eyes  she 
read  his  meaning. 

The  revelation  burst  upon  her,  like  the  unexpected  blinding 
glow  of  sunshine  smiting  one  who  approaches  the  mouth  of  a 
cavern,  in  whose  chill  gloom, — after  weary  groping,  all  hope 
had  died.  She  felt  giddy,  faint, — and  the  world  seemed  dis 
solving  in  a  rosy  mist. 

"  My  Lily, — my  proud  little  flower  !  You  will  not  come  ? 
Then  Erie  Palma  must  take  his  own,  and  hold  it,  and  wear  it 
forever ! " 

He  folded  his  arms  around  her,  strained  her  to  his  bosom, 
and  laid  his  warm  trembling  lips  on  hers.  What  a  long  pas 
sionate  kiss,  as  though  the  hunger  of  a  lifetime  could  never 
be  satisfied. 

After  his  stern  self-control,  and  patient  waiting,  the  proud 
man  who  had  never  loved  any  one  but  the  fair  young  girl  in  his 
arms,  abandoned  himself  to  the  ecstasy  of  possession.  He 
kissed  the  eyebrows  that  were  so  lovely  in  his  sight, — the 
waving  hair  on  her  white  temples,  and  again,  and  again  the 
soft  sweet  trembling  lips,  that  glowed  under  his  pressure. 

"My  precious  violet  eyes,  so  tender  and  holy.  My  silver 
Lily,  mine  forever.  Erie  Palma' s  first,  and  last,  and  only 
love ! " 

When  with  his  cheek  resting  on  hers,  he  told  her  why  his 
sense  of  honor  had  sealed  his  lips  while  she  was  a  ward  beneath 


INFELICE.  561 

his  roof,  entrusted  by  her  mother  to  his  guardianship,  and 
dwelt  upon  the  suffering  it  had  cost  him  to  know  that  others 
were  suing  for  her  hand,  trying  to  win  away  the  love,  which  his 
regard  for  duty  prevented  him  from  soliciting, — she  began  to 
realize  the  strength  and  fervor  of  the  affection,  that  was  now 
shining  so  deliciously  upon  her  heart.  She  learned  the  fate  of 
the  glove  he  had  found  on  his  desk  and  locked  up, — of  the  two 
faded  white  hyacinths  he  had  begged  and  worn  in  his  breast 
pocket  because  they  had  rested  on  her  hair  ;  of  the  songs  he 
wanted  simply  for  the  reason  that  he  had  heard  them  on  the 
night  when  she  fainted,  and  he  had  first  kissed  her  cold  uncon 
scious  lips. 

Would  the  brilliant  New  York  Bar  have  recognized  their 
cool,  inflexible,  haughty  favorite,  in  the  man  who  was  pouring 
such  fervid  passionate  declarations  into  the  small  pearly  ear, 
that  felt  his  lips  more  than  once  ? 

Erie  Palma  had  much  to  tell  to  the  woman  of  his  love,  much 
to  explain  concerning  the  events  of  the  day  when  Elliott  Roscoe 
witnessed  her  first  interview  with  Peleg  Peterson,  and  subse 
quently  aided  in  his  arrest,  but  this  morning,  long  audience  was 
denied  him. 

In  the  midst  of  his  happy  whispers,  a  step  which  he  did  not 
hear,  came  down  the  stairs, — a  form  for  whom  he  had  no  eyes, 
stood  awhile  perplexed,  and  amazed  on  the  threshold.  Then 
a  very  stately  figure  swept  across  the  marble  tiles,  and  laid  a 
firm  hand  on  Regina's  shoulder. 

"  My  daughter  !  " 

The  girl  looked  up,  startled,  confused ;  but  the  encircling 
arms  would  not  release  her. 

"  My  dear  Madam,  do  not  take  her  away." 

Mrs.  Laurance  did  not  heed  him,  her  eyes  were  riveted  on 
her  child. 

"  My  little  girl,  have  you  too  deceived  and  forsaken  your 
anfortunate  mother  ?  " 

She  broke  away  from  her  lover's  clasp,  and  threw  her  arms 
around  her  mother's  neck. 
24* 


562  INFELICE. 

Pressing  her  tightly  to  her  heart,  Mrs.  Laurance  turned  to 
M r.  Palma,  and  said  sternly  : 

"  Is  there  indeed  no  such  thing  as  honor  left  among  men  ? 
You  who  knew  so  well  my  loneliness  and  affliction, — you 
Sir, — to  whom  I  trusted  my  little  lamb,— have  tried  to  rob  me 
of  the  only  treasure  I  thought  I  possessed,  the  only  comfort 
left  to  gladden  my  sunless  life  !  You  have  tried  to  steal  my 
child's  heart, — to  win  her  from  me." 

"  No  mother, — he  never  let  me  know,  and  I  never  dreamed 
that, — that  he  cared  at  all  for  me,  until  this  morning.  He  did 
not  betray  your  trust,  even  for  " 

"  Let  Mr.  Palma  plead  his  own  defence,  if  he  can ;— look 
you  to  yours,"  answered  her  mother  coldly. 

"  It  is  much  sweeter  from  her  lips,  and  you  my  dear  Madam 
are  very  cruel  to  deny  me  the  pleasure  of  hearing  it.  Lily  my 
darling,  go  away  a  little  while, — not  far,  where  I  can  easily  find 
you ;  and  let  me  talk  to  your  mother.  If  I  fail  to  satisfy  her 
fully  on  all  points,  I  shall  never  ask  at  her  hands  the  precious 
boon  I  came  here  solely  to  solicit." 

He  took  her  hand,  drew  her  from  the  arms  that  reluctantly 
relaxed,  and  when  they  reached  the  threshold  smiled  down  into 
her  eyes.  Lifting  her  fingers,  he  kissed  them  lightly,  and  closed 
the  door. 

What  ailed  the  birds  that  trilled  their  passionate  strains  so 
joyously  as  she  ran  down  the  garden  walk,  and  into  the  rose- 
arbor  ?  Had  clouds  and  shadows  flown  forever  from  the  world, 
leaving  only  heavenly  sunshine,  and  Mr.  Palma  ? 

"  I  wonder  if  there  be  indeed  a  quiet  spot  on  earth,  where  I 
can  hide  ;  a  sacred  refuge,  where  neither  nightingale  nor  human 
lovers  will  vex  my  soul,  or  again  disturb  my  peace,  with  their 
eternal  madrigals  ?  " 

She  had  not  seen  her  uncle,  who  was  sitting  in  one  corner, 
clumsily  tying  up  some  roses  which  he  intended  for  a  birthday 
offering  to  his  niece. 

At  the  sound  of  his  quiet  voice,  Regina  started  up. 


INF  ELI CE.  563 

*•  Oh  Uncle  Orme  !  I  did  not  see  you.  Pray  excuse  me. 
I  will  not  disturb  you." 

She  was  hurrying  away,  but  he  caught  her  dress. 

"  My  dear,  are  you  threatened  with  ophthalmia,  that  you  can 
not  see  a  man  three  yards  distant,  who  measures  six  feet  two 
inches  ?  Certainly  I  excuse  you.  A  man  who  is  kept  awake 
all  night  by  one  set  of  love  ditties, — dragged  out  of  his  bed  be 
fore  sunrise, — and  after  taking  exercise  and  a  bath  that  render 
him  as  hungry  as  a  Modoc  cut  off  from  his  lava-beds, — is  ex 
pected  and  forced  to  hold  his  famished  frame  in  peace, — while 
a  pair  of  human  lovers  exhaust  the  vocabulary  of  cooing, — that 
man,— can  patiently  excuse  much.  Sit  down  my  dear  girl. 
Because  my  beard  is  gray,  and  crow-feet  gather  about  my  eyes, 
do  you  suppose  the  old  man's  heart  cannot  sympathize  with  the 
happiness  that  throbs  in  yours  ; — and  that  renews  very  sacredly, 
the  one  sweet  love-dream  of  his  own  long-buried  youth  ?  I 
know  dear,  you  need  not  try  to  tell  me,  need  not  blush  so  pain 
fully.  Mr.  Palma  reached  Como  last  evening ;  I  knew  he  was 
coming,  and  saw  him  early  this  morning,  I  can  guess  it  all, 
and  I  am  very  glad.  God  bless  you,  dear  child.  Only  be  sure 
you  tell  Palma,  that  we  allow  no  lovers  in  our  ideal  home." 

He  put  his  hand  on  her  drooping  head,  and  drawing  it  down, 
she  silently  pressed  it  in  her  own.  So  they  sat ;  how  long, 
neither  knew.  She  dreaming  of  that  golden  future  that  had 
opened  so  unexpectedly  before  her  ; — he  listening  to  memory's 
echoes  of  a  beloved  tone,  long  since  hushed  in  the  grave. 

When  approaching  voices  were  heard,  he  rose  to  steal  away, 
and  tears  moistened  his  mild  brown  eyes. 

"  Stay  with  me,  please,"  she  whispered,  clinging  to  his  sleeve. 

Through  the  arched  doorway  of  the  arbor,  she  saw  two  walk 
ing  slowly. 

Mrs.  Laurance  leaned  upon  Mr.  Palma' s  arm,  and  as  he 
bent  his  uncovered  head,  in  earnest  conversation,  his  noble'/ 
brow  was  placid,  and  his  haughty  mouth  relaxed  in  a  half-smile. 
They  reached  the  arbor,  and  paused. 

In  her  morning  robe  of  delicate  lilac  tint,  Mrs.  Laurance's  sad 


564  INFELICE. 

tear-stained  face  seemed  in  its  glory  of  golden  locks,  almost  as 
fair  as  her  child's.  But  one  was  just  preparing  to  launch  her 
frail  argosy  of  loving  hopes  upon  the  sunny  sea  that  stretched  in 
liquid  splendor  before  her  dazzled  eyes  ; — the  other  had  seen  the 
wreck  of  all  her  heart's  most  precious  freight, — in  the  storm  of 
varied  griefs,  that  none  but  Christ  could  hush, — with  His  divine 
"Be  still." 

The  repressed  sorrow  in  the  countenance  of  the  mother  was 
more  touching  than  any  outbreak  could  have  been,  and  after  a 
strong  effort,  she  held  out  her  hand,  and  said  : 

"My  daughter." 

Regina  sprang  up,  and  hid  her  face  on  her  mother's  neck. 

"When  I  began  to  hope  in  a  blind  dumb  way,  that  nothing  more 
could  happen  to  wring  my  heart,  because  I  had  my  daughter 
safe, — owned  her  entire  undivided  love,  and  we  were  all  in  all  to 
each  other  ; — just  when  I  dared  to  pray  that  my  sky  might  be 
blue  for  a  little  while,  because  my  baby's  eyes  mirrored  it, — even 
then  the  last,  the  dearest  is  stolen  away,  and  by  my  best  friend — 
too  !  Child  of  my  love,  I  would  almost  as  soon  see  you  in  your 
shroud,  as  under  a  bridal  veil,  for  you  will  love  your  husband 
best,  and  oh  !  I  want  all  of  your  dear  heart  for  my  own.  How 
can  I  ever  give  you  away, — my  one  star-eyed  angel  of  comfort  i" 

Her  white  hand  caressed  the  head  upon  her  bosom,  and  clasp 
ing  her  mother's  waist,  the  girl  said  distinctly: 

"  Let  it  be  as  you  wish.  My  mother's  happiness  is  far  dearer 
to  me  than  my  own." 

"  Oh  my  darling  !  Do  you  mean  it  ?  Would  you  give  up 
your  lover, — for  the  sake  of  your  poor  desolate  mother?" 

She  bent  back  the  fair  face  and  gazed  eagerly  into  the  girl's 
eyes. 

"  Mother  I  should  never  cease  to  love  him.  Life  would  not 
be  so  sweet  as  it  looked  this  morning,  when  I  first  learned  he 
had  given  me  his  heart ;  but  duty  is  better  than  joy,  and  I  owe 
more  to  my  suffering  mother  than  to  him,  or  to  myself.  If  it 
adds  to  the  cup  of  your  many  sorrows  to  give  me  even  to  him, — 
I  will  try  to  take  the  bitter  for  my  portion,  and  then  sweeten  as 


INF  ELI  CE.  565 

best  I  may  the  life  that  hitherto  you  have  devoted  to  me. 
Mother  do  with  your  child,  as  seems  best  to  your  dear  heart." 

She  was  very  white,  but  her  voice  was  firm,  and  the  fidelity 
of  her  purpose  was  printed  in  her  sad  eyes. 

"  God  bless  my  sweet,  faithful,  trusting  child  ! " 

Mrs.  Laurance  could  not  restrain  her  tears,  and  Mr.  Palma 
shaded  his  eyes  with  his  hand. 

"My  little  girl,  make  your  choice.     Decide  between  us." 

She  moved  a  few  steps,  as  if  to  free  herself,  but  in  vain ;  Re- 
gina's  arms  tightened  around  her. 

"  Between  you  ?     Oh  no  !  I  cannot.     Both  are  too  dear." 

"  To  whom  does  your  heart  cling  most  closely  ?  " 

"  Mother  ask  me  no  more.  There  is  my  hand.  If  you  can 
consent  to  give  it  to  him, — I  shall  be — oh  !  how  happy  !  If  it 
would  grieve  you  too  much, — then  mother  hold  it,  keep  it. 
I  will  never  murmur,  or  complain, — for  now,  knowing  that  he 
loves  me, — I  can  bear  almost  anything." 

Tears  were  streaming  down  the  mother's  cheeks,  and  pressing 
her  lips  to  the  white  mournful  face  of  her  daughter,  she  beckoned 
Mr.  Palma  to  her  side.  For  a  moment  she  hesitated,  held  up 
the  fair  fingers  and  kissed  them,  then  as  if  distrusting  herself, 
quickly  laid  the  little  hand  in  his. 

"  Take  my  darling ;  and  remember  that  she  is  the  most  pre 
cious  gift,  a  miserable  mother  ever  yielded  up." 

After  a  moment  Mrs.  Laurance  whispered  something,  and  very 
soon  the  lovely  face  flushed  a  brilliant  rose,  the  soft  tender  eyes 
were  lifted  timidly  to  Mr.  Palma' s  face,  and  as  he  drew  her  to 
him,  she  glided  from  her  mother's  arms  into  his,  feeling  his  lips 
rest  like  a  blessing  from  God  on  her  pure  brow. 

"  Does  my  Lily  love  me  best?  " 

Only  the  white  arms  answered  his  whisper,  clasping  his 
neck  ;  and  Mrs.  Laurance  and  Mr.  Chesley  left  them,  with  the 
dewy  roses  overhead  swinging  like  censers  in  the  glorious 
autumn  morning,  and  the  sacred  chime  of  church  bells  dying 
in  silvery  echoes,  among  the  olive  and  myrtle  that  clothed  the 
distant  hills. 


566  INFELICE. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

|N  consenting  to  bestow  Regina's  hand  on  Mr.  Palma, 
Mrs.  Laurance  had  stipulated  that  the  marriage  should 
be  deferred  for  one  year,  alleging  that  her  daughter  was 
yet  very  young,  and  having  been  so  long  separated,  she  wished 
her  to  remain  with  her,  at  least  for  some  months.  Mr.  Palma 
reluctantly  assented  to  conditions  which  compelled  him  to  re 
turn  to  America  without  Regina,  and  in  November  Mrs. 
Laurance  removed  to  Milan,  where  she  desired  that  her  child's 
fine  voice  and  musical  talent  should  be  trained  and  developed 
by  the  most  superior  instruction. 

Swiftly  the  twelvemonths  sped  away,  and  in  revisiting  the 
Mediterranean  shores,  linked  by  so  many  painful  reminiscen 
ces  with  the  period  of  her  former  sojourn.  Mrs.  Laurance, 
despite  the  efforts  of  her  faithful  and  fond  companion,  seemed 
to  sink  into  a  confirmed  melancholy. 

By  tacit  agreement  no  reference  was  ever  made  to  her  past 
life,  but  a  shadow  chill  and  unlifting  brooded  over  her,  and  the 
sleeplessness  that  no  opiate  could  conquer, — a  sleeplessness 
born  of  heart-ache  which  no  spell  could  narcotize, — robbed 
her  cheek  of  its  bloom,  and  left  weary  lines  on  her  patient 
hopeless  face. 

Mr.  Chesley  had  returned  with  Mr.  Palma  to  the  Unitet 
States,  and  late  in  the  following  autumn  Mrs.  Laurance  and 
Regina  sailed  for  New  York. 

The  associations  of  the  voyage  were  peculiarly  painful  to 
the  unhappy  wife,  whose  lips  never  unclosed  upon  the  topic 
that  engrossed  her  thoughts,  and  soon  after  their  arrival,  her 
physician  advised  a  trip  to  Florida  or  Cuba,  until  the  rigor  of 
the  winter  had  ended,  as  an  obstinate  cough  again  aroused 
fears  of  consumption. 

To  accompany  her  mother,  Regina  postponed  her  marriage 
until  June,  and  notwithstanding  Mr.  Palma' s  avowed  dissatis- 


INFELICE.  567 

faction  and  earnest  protest,  spent  the  winter  and  spring  in  the 
West  Indies.  Mrs.  Laurance  gradually  regained  health,  but 
not  cheerfulness,  and  in  May,  when  they  returned  to  New 
York,  preparations  were  made  for  the  wedding,  which  in  defer 
ence  to  her  mother's  feelings,  Regina  desired  should  be  very  quiet. 

Her  husband's  estate  had  long  been  in  Mrs.  Laurance's 
possession,  and  the  stately  mansion  had  been  repaired  and 
refurnished,  awaiting  its  owner ;  but  she  shrank  with  a  shiver 
from  the  mention  of  the  place,  announcing  her  intention  to 
visit  it  no  more,  until  she  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  proud  family 
tomb,  whither  the  remains  of  Gen.  Ren£  Laurance  had  already 
been  removed. 

In  accordance  with  her  daughter's  wishes,  she  had  taken  for 
the  summer  a  villa  on  the  Hudson,  only  a  short  distance  from 
the  city,  and  a  week  before  the  day  appointed  for  the  marriage, 
they  took  possession  of  their  country  home. 

As  the  time  rapidly  approached,  Mrs.  Laurance's  depression 
of  spirits  seemed  to  increase  ;  she  jealously  counted  the  hours 
that  remained,  and  her  sad  eyes  rested,  with  fateful  foreboding 
on  her  daughter's  happy  countenance. 

On  the  afternoon  previous  to  the  wedding,  the  mother  sat  on 
the  verandah  overlooking  the  velvet  lawn  that  stretched  be 
tween  the  house  and  the  river.  The  sun  was  setting,  and  the 
rich  red  glow  rested  upon  the  crest  of  distant  hills,  and  smote 
the  sails  of  two  vessels  gliding  close  to  the  opposite  shore. 

On  the  stone  step  sat  Regina,  her  head  leaning  against  her 
mother's  knee,  her  hand  half  buried  in  the  snowy  locks  of 
Hero,  who  crouched  at  her  side. 

"Mrs.  Palma  and  Uncle  Orme  will  not  arrive  until  noon; 
but  Olga  comes  early  to-morrow,  and  mother  I  know  you  will 
be  glad  to  learn  that  at  last  her  brother  has  persuaded  her  to 
abandon  her  intention  of  joining  the"  

She  did  not  complete  the  sentence,  for  glancing  up,  she  saw 
that  Mrs.  Laurance's  melancholy  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  crim 
son  sky,  and  purpling  hills  far  away,  and  she  knew  that  her 
thoughts  were  haunting  gray  ashy  crypts  of  the  Bygone. 


568  INFELICE. 

For  some  moments  silence  prevailed,  and  mother  and  child 
presented  a  singular  contrast.  The  former  was  clad  in  some 
violet-colored  fabric,  and  her  wealth  of  golden  hair  was 
brushed  smoothly  back  and  twisted  into  a  loose  knot,  where 
her  daughter's  fingers  had  inserted  a  moss  rose  with  clustering 
buds  and  glossy  leaves. 

The  girl  wore  a  simple  white  muslin,  high  in  the  throat, 
where  a  quilling  of  soft  lace  was  secured  by  a  bunch  of  lemon 
blooms  and  violets ;  and  around  her  coil  of  jet  hair  twined  a 
long  spray  of  Arabian  jasmine  that  drooped  almost  to  her 
shoulder. 

One  face  star-eyed  and  beaming  as  Hope, — with  rosy  dreams 
lurking  about  the  curves  of  her  perfect  mouth  ;  the  other  pale, 
dejected,  yet  uncomplaining,  a  lovely  statue  of  Regret. 

Very  soon  the  white  hand  that  wore  the  black  agate,  wan 
dered  across  the  daughter's  silky  hair. 

"  Yonder  goes  the  train  ;  and  Mr.  Palma  will  be  here  in  a 
few  minutes.  How  little  I  dreamed  that  cold,  undemonstra 
tive,  selfish  man  would  prove  such  a  patient  tender  lover? 
Truly — 

'  Beauty  hath  made  our  greatest  manhoods  weak.' 

Kiss  me  my  darling,  before  you  go  to  meet  him.  My  blue- 
eyed  baby  !  after  to-morrow  you  will  be  mine  no  longer.  In 
the  heart  of  wives  husbands  supplant  mothers,  and  reign 
supreme.  Do  not  speak,  my  love.  Only  kiss  me,  and  go." 

She  bent  over  the  face  resting  on  her  knee,  and  a  moment 
after,  Regina  followed  by  the  noble  old  dog  went  down  the 
circuitous  walk  leading  to  the  iron  gate.  On  either  side  stood 
deodar  cedars,  and  behind  one  of  these  she  sat  down  on  a 
rustic  seat. 

She  had  not  waited  long,  when  footsteps  approached,  and 
Mr.  Palrna's  tall  handsome  figure  passed  through  the  gate, 
accompanied  by  one  who  followed  slowly. 

"  Lily  !  " 

The  lawyer  passed  his  arm  around  her,  drew  her  to  his  side 
and  whispered  : 


INF  ELI  CE.  569 

"  I  bring  you  glad  tidings.  I  bring  my  darling  a  very  pre 
cious  bridal  present, — her  father." 

Turning  quickly,  he  put  her  in  Mr.  Laurance's  arms. 

"  Can  my  daughter  cordially  welcome  her  unhappy  and  un 
worthy  father  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  how  merciful  God  has  been  to  me  !  My  father  alive 
and  safe, — really  folding  me  to  his  heart  ?  Now  my  mother  can 
rest,  for  now  she  can  utter  the  forgiveness  which  her  heart  long 
ago  pronounced  ; — but  which  having  withheld  at  your  painful 
parting  interview,  has  so  sorely  weighed  down  her  spirits.  Oh  ! 
how  bright  the  world  looks  !  Thank  God  !  at  last  mother  can 
find  peace." 

Looking  fondly  at  her  radiant  face,  Mr.  Laurance  asked  in 
an  unsteady  voice  : 

"  Will  my  Minnie's  child  plead  .with  her,  for  the  long  lost 
husband  of  her  youth  ?  " 

"  Oh  Father  !  there  is  no  need.  Her  love  must  have  tri 
umphed  long  ago,  over  the  sense  of  cruel  wrong,  and  the  mem 
ory  of  the  past,  for  since  we  learned  that  you  were  among  those 
who  perished, — she  has  silently  mourned  as  only  a  wife  can,  for 
the  husband  she  loves.  Because  she  sees  in  my  face  the  reflex 
of  yours,  it  has  of  late  grown  doubly  dear  to  her  ;  and  some 
times  at  night  when  she  believes  me  asleep,  she  touches  me 
softly,  and  whispers, — '  my  Cuthbert's  baby.'  But  why  have  you 
so  long  allowed  us  to  believe  you  were  lost  on  that  vessels?" 

Briefly  Mr.  Laurance  outlined  the  facts  of  his  escape  upon  a 
raft,  which  was  hastily  constructed  by  several  of  the  crew,  when 
the  boats  were  beyond  their  reach.  Upon  this  he  had  placed 
Maud,  and  on  the  morning  after  the  wreck  of  the  vessel,  they 
succeeded  in  getting  into  one  of  the  boats,  which  was  floating 
bottom  upward,  and  providentially  drifted  quite  near  the  raft. 
For  several  days  they  were  tossed  helplessly  from  wave  to  wave, 
exposed  to  heavy  rains,  and  on  the  third  evening,  poor  little 
Maud  who  had  been  unconscious  for  some  hours,  died  in  her 
father's  arms.  At  midnight  when  the  moon  shone  full  and 
bright,  he  had  wrapped  the  little  form  in  his  coat,  and  consigned 


570  INF  ELI  CE. 

her  to  a  final  resting-place  beneath  the  blue  billows,  where  hei 
mother  had  already  gone  down,  amid  the  fury  of  the  gale.  He 
knew  from  the  color  and  lettering  of  the  boat,  that  it  was  the 
same  in  which  he  had  placed  his  terrified  wife,  and  when  it 
floated  to  their  raft,  he  could  not  doubt  her  melancholy  fate. 
A  few  hours  after  Maud's  burial,  a  Danish  brig  bound  for  Val 
paraiso  discovered  the  boat  and  its  signals  of  distress,  and  tak 
ing  on  board  the  four  survivors,  sailed  away  on  its  destined 
track.  Mr.  Laurance  had  made  his  way  to  Rio  Janeiro,  and 
subsequently  to  Havana,  but  learning  from  the  published  ac 
counts  that  his  wife  had  indeed  perished,  and  that  he  also  was 
numbered  among  the  lost,  he  determined  not  to  reveal  the  fact 
of  his  existence  to  any  one.  Financially  beggared,  his  ances 
tral  home  covered  by  mortgages  which  Mrs.  Laurance  held, — 
and  utterly  hopeless  of  arousing  her  compassion  or  obtaining 
her  pardon,  he  was  too  proud  to  endure  the  humiliation  that 
would  overwhelm  him,  in  the  divorce  suit  he  knew  she  intended 
to  institute  ;  and  resolved  never  to  return  to  the  United  States, 
where  he  could  expect  only  disgrace  and  sorrow. 

While  in  Liverpool,  preparing  to  go  to  Melbourne,  he  acci 
dentally  found  and  read  Mrs.  Laurance's  advertisement  in  the 
London  "  Times,"  offering  a  reward  for  any  definite  information 

concerning  Cuthbert  Laurance,  reported  lost  on  Steamer . 

Had  she  relented,  would  she  pardon  him  now?  He  was  lonely, 
desolate  ;  his  heart  yearned  for  the  sight  of  his  fair  young 
daughter,  doubly  dear  since  the  loss  of  poor  Maud,  and  he 
longed  inexpressibly  to  see  once  more  the  love  of  his  early,  and 
his  later  life. 

If  still  implacably  vindictive,  would  she  have  continued  the 
advertisement,  which  so  powerfully  tempted  him  to  reveal  him 
self?  He  was  fully  conscious  of  his  own  unworthiness,  and  of 
the  magnitude  of  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  her,  but  after  a  long 
struggle  with  his  pride,  which  bled  sorely  at  thought  of  the 
scornful  repulse  that  might  await  him,  he  had  written  confiden 
tially  to  Mr.  Palma,  and  in  accordance  with  his  advice,  returned 
to  New  York. 


INFELICE.  571 

Only  the  day  previous,  he  had  arrh  ed,  and  now  came  to  test 
the  power  of  memory  over  his  wife's  heart. 

"  Father  she  is  sitting  alone  on  the  verandah,  with  such  a 
world  of  sadness  in  her  eyes,  which  have  lost  the  blessed  power 
of  weeping.  Go  to  her.  I  believe  you  need  no  ally  to  reach 
my  mother's  heart." 

Mr.  Laurance  kissed  her  fair  forehead,  and  walked  away  ;  and 
passing  his  arm  around  Regina,  Mr.  Palma  drew  her  forward 
across  the  lawn,  till  they  reached  a  branching  lilac  near  the 
verandah. 

Here  he  paused,  took  off  his  glasses,  and  looked  proudly 
and  tenderly  down  into  the  violet  eyes,  that  even  now  met  his 
so  shyly. 

"  My  Lily,  to-morrow  at  this  hour,  you  will  be  my  wife." 

Hfs  haughty  lips  were  smiling  as  they  sought  hers,  and  with 
her  lovely  flushed  face  half  hidden  on  his  shoulder,  and  one 
small  hand  clinging  to  his,  she  watched  her  father's  figure  ap 
proaching  the  steps. 

Mrs.  Laurance  sat  with  her  folded  hands  resting  on  the  rail 
of  the  balustrade,  her  head  slightly  drooped  upon  her  bosom  , 
and  the  beautiful  face  was  lighted  by  the  dying  sunset  splendor, 
that  seemed  to  kindle  a  nimbus  around  the  golden  head,  and 
rendered  her  in  her  violet  drapery  like  some  haloed  Mater 
Dolor  osa,  treading  alone  the  Via  Crucis. 

Dusky  shadows  under  the  melancholy  brown  eyes,  made  them 
appear  darker,  deeper,  almost  prophetic,  and  over  her  lips 
drifted  a  fragment  from  "  Regret." 

"  Oh  that  word  Regret! 

There  have  been  nights  and  morns,  when  we  have  sighed, 
'  Let  us  alone  Regret!     We  are  content 
To  throw  thee  all  our  past,  so  thou  wilt  sleep 
For  aye.'     But  it  is  patient,  and  it  wakes; 
It  hath  not  learned  to  cry  itself  to  sleep, 
But  plaineth  on  the  bed  that  it  is  hard.   ..." 

"  Ah — yes.     In  the  room  of  revenge,  reigns  regret.     Where  is 
my  revenge  ?     It  gleamed  like  nectar,  and  when  I  drained  it, — 


572  INFELICE. 

consuming  poison  clung  to  n.y  lips.  To  revenge  is  to  regret — 
forever  !  To-day  how  utterly  widowed ; — to-morrow — childless. 
Oh  stranded  life  !  Infelice  !  Infelice  ! " 

Upon  the  stone  steps  stood  the  man,  whom  her  eyes  turned 
toward  the  distant  hill-tops,  had  not  yet  seen,  but  when  the 
passionate  pathos  of  that  voice  which  had  so  often  charmed  and 
swayed  its  audiences, — died  away  in  a  sob, — a  musical  yet  very 
tremulous  tone  fell  on  the  evening  air : 

"Minnie, — my  wife  !  After  almost  twenty  years  of  neglect, 
injustice,  and  wro.ng, — can  the  husband  of  your  youth,  and  the 
father  of  your  child  hope  for  pardon  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  ruined  life  beyond  the  smile  of  heaven, 
And  compensating  grace  for  every  loss  is  given, 
The  Coliseum's  shell  is  loved  of  flower  and  vine, 
And  through  its  shattered  rents,  the  peaceful  planets  shine." 


THE    END. 


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